Cafe Resistance Bookstore & Coffee Shop hosted its grand opening last week at 5007 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, Fla. First Coast News reported that the new business "aims to uplift the local Black community through some books you may not find on Florida school bookshelves." The store features titles challenged and banned in Florida schools, in response to a state law requiring books to be free of "pornography" or certain race-based teaching.
"We can learn our true history in the roots, and you know, push back against the overbearing legislature and an overbearing governor, who just really wants to keep people uneducated," said owner Angie Nixon, who is also the Florida House District 13 state representative.
Describing the shop, local author Aaron Woodson noted: "I love the artistry, that's the first thing.... you just feel at home. It's also a cafe."
Earlier this year, Nixon told First Coast News: "We are currently in a food desert, amenity desert and entertainment desert. And so, I wanted to open not only a bookstore, but a coffee shop and a community hub. A cultural space.... I just wanted to give back and offer free tutoring programs to help get the children on grade level. In addition to that, I serve in the state legislature, and there's been a lot of book bans and book challenges."