First Coast Connect: Sunshine on ICE

A new directive from ICE has echoes of Fight Club rules: Not only does it instruct local law enforcement to keep immigration enforcement actions secret, the secrecy applies to the directive itself. A recent report by Florida investigative journalist Monique Madan was sparked when she obtained a copy of the confidential ICE directive, a federal order that directly contradicts Florida’s vaunted public records laws. Critics call it a “gag order” on police, noting the broad order effectively prevents local agencies from releasing any information about their compliance with or arrests made under 287(g), which deputizes law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents in identifying, arresting and detaining noncitizens. Guest: Monique O. Madan, senior investigative journalist and founder of the “Two Can Be True” newsletter Women's Giving Alliance A collective giving initiative celebrates 25 years of philanthropy to support the needs of women and girls in Northeast Florida. Since 2001, the Women’s Giving Alliance has awarded $10 million in grants to more than 80 nonprofit organizations in the area. To commemorate this milestone, Delores Barr Weaver, an alliance co-founder, has offered a $150,000 match for donations through September. This is part of a larger strategic effort to address violence against women and girls by supporting organizations that share in this mission through mental health, safety, education and empowerment efforts. Duval County alone sees almost 5,000 cases of domestic violence per year, though research indicates many incidents don’t get reported. Guests: Sabeen Perwaiz, president, Women's Giving Alliance Isaiah M. Oliver, president, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Amplifying Avondale A celebration of one of Jacksonville's most historic neighborhoods set to a soundtrack of Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige. The local band Groove Coalition performs classic soul and R&B at the upcoming Amplified Avondale event. Held the last Friday of every month, the event was created in 2022 to foster community and generate foot traffic for merchants on St. Johns Avenue. Stores and restaurants keep their doors open late for visitors, as multiple local bands perform along a community art walk that includes vendors from nearby neighborhood Murray Hill Farmer’s Market. We sit down with the event’s founder, aka the “Mayor of Avondale,” as well as a featured musician to discuss what’s planned, how the event has grown and how it might evolve in the future. Amplified Avondale is held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. May 29 on St. Johns Avenue. Guests: Ron Rothberg, founder, Amplified Avondale Tommy Bridgewater, musician, Groove Coalition See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.