National Organization for Women

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Florida NOW Horrified by Killing of 37-Year-Old Woman by ICE Agent in Minnesota

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2026 by President Julie Kent, Florida NOW, president@flnow.org

Orlando, FL —The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) is horrified and outraged by the killing of a 37-year-old woman by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minnesota. According to publicly available reports, the woman was shot and killed while in her car during an ICE operation. This devastating and unconscionable act demands immediate transparency, accountability, and justice.

“This is a profound violation of human rights,” said Julie Kent, President FL NOW. “A woman lost her life at the hands of a government agency that is supposed to protect the public. Instead, she was met with lethal force. We refuse to accept a system where women — especially immigrant women and women of color — are treated as disposable.”

FL NOW calls for:

  • A full, independent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting
  • Immediate public release of all body‑camera footage, reports, and evidence
  • Accountability for all agents involved, including administrative and criminal consequences were warranted
  • A federal review of ICE use‑of‑force policies, particularly in operations involving women, families, and non-violent encounters
  • Investment in humane, community-based alternatives that do not rely on militarized enforcement

This tragedy is part of a broader pattern of violence and abuse that immigrant communities — especially women — have been sounding the alarm about for years. FL NOW stands firmly with immigrant‑rights organizations, community leaders, and the victim’s family in demanding justice and systemic change.

“Women deserve safety, dignity, and the right to live without fear,” said Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW. “We expect a full investigation. We will not look away. We will not be silent.”

Media Contact: Debbie Deland, vp@flnow.org, 407 234-6408

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Florida NOW Strongly Condemns Violent Escalation in Venezuela and Calls for Protection of Women, Children, and Civil Society

For Immediate Release: January 5, 2026    President Julie Kent, Florida NOW,

Orlando, FL — The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) condemns the Trump administration’s violent escalation in Venezuela, which has intensified instability, deepened humanitarian suffering, and placed women, children, and marginalized communities at great risk. Reports from international observers, human rights organizations, and regional partners describe a rapidly deteriorating situation marked by civilian harm, forced displacement, and the breakdown of essential services.

The actions of the Trump regime echo our disastrous Vietnam War. Congress has not declared war, but Trump has. Trump, in the name of the United States, deposed the leader of Venezuela. The war and kidnapping are all illegal under U.S. and International law. This attack was not about drugs. The goal of all the operations against Venezuela is to control their oil.

“Escalating violence is a catastrophe for women and families who are already living through political repression, economic collapse, and widespread insecurity,” said Julie Kent, President of FL NOW. “Women in Venezuela are facing hunger, medical shortages, gender‑based violence, and the collapse of democratic institutions. Any U.S. action that worsens these conditions is unacceptable. FL NOW denounces all war.”

Women and Children Bear the Greatest Burden

FL NOW emphasizes that women and children are disproportionately harmed in conflict zones. In Venezuela, this includes:

  • Increased gender‑based violence and exploitation
  • Severe shortages of maternal health care and contraception
  • Rising child malnutrition and preventable deaths
  • Dangerous migration routes for families fleeing violence

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that escalatory actions — including militarized interventions, sanctions that restrict access to food and medicine, and support for armed confrontations — worsen these conditions.

FL NOW Calls for a Feminist, Humanitarian Approach

FL NOW urges the United States government to:

  1. Cease all actions that escalate violence.
  2. Support diplomatic, multilateral solutions grounded in international law and regional cooperation.
  3. Prioritize human rights, democratic processes, and the safety of all members of society.
  4. Leave Venezuelan resources, infrastructure, and organizations in the hands of the Venezuelan people.
  5. Ensure that U.S. policy does not endanger women, LGBTQ+ people, or marginalized communities who are already targeted by state and non‑state actors.
  6. Expand humanitarian access, including food, medicine, reproductive health care, and protections for women and girls.

Solidarity With Venezuelan Women

FL NOW stands in solidarity with Venezuelan women and children, human rights defenders, and community organizers who continue to advocate for democracy, bodily autonomy, and safety despite immense danger.

“We will not tolerate starting a war, kidnapping another country’s leader, or taking over a nation — Trump said he will “run Venezuela” and that Cuba may be next. We expect Congress to act decisively against this aggressive imperialism, colonialism,” said Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW. “Women are often the first to suffer from political violence and the least heard in peace negotiations. We call on the United States to prioritize diplomacy over escalation, immediately cease attacks on Venezuela, release the Venezuelan President and his wife, and ensure the voices of Venezuelan women are at the center of any future steps forward.”

Members of Congress have warned that if Trump launched an unauthorized attack on Venezuela, they would move to invoke War Powers. Public pressure right now is critical to force Congress to act and to stop this escalation before it spirals into a full-scale war.

Tell your members of Congress to oppose war in Venezuela repeatedly! U.S. Capitol switchboard: 202 224-3121.

About Florida NOW

The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) is the state’s largest feminist advocacy organization, dedicated to advancing gender justice, racial equity, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and the safety and dignity of all women and families.

Media Contact: Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW, 407 234-6408, vp@flnow.org

president@flnow.org 

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Florida NOW: Sounding the Alarm Project 2026 – expanding state surveillance over reproductive health data and more

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/Letters-Op-Ed_2025/20251227-fl-now-rights-autonomy-equality-across-fl.html

By Julie Kent

The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) is sounding the alarm about Project 2026, a rapidly developing policy agenda backed by Trump‑aligned lawmakers and national operatives seeking to reshape Florida’s laws on reproductive freedom, gender equality, and civil rights. While national attention has focused on Project 2025, Florida leaders are quietly advancing a state‑level version designed to accelerate rollbacks on women’s rights and LGBTQ+ protections.

[Read more…]