JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tensions rose at Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, as residents voiced their support for Mayor Donna Deegan's proposed $2 billion budget and pushed back against controversial amendments introduced by Councilman Rory Diamond.

The amendments already approved by the finance committee would restrict spending for immigrants lacking legal status, abortion-related services and DEI initiatives.

Residents who spoke during public comment backed the mayor’s budget and called Diamond's “big beautiful budget amendments” divisive.

Diamond defended his amendments, saying these changes are long overdue.

“I’m speaking in support of Mayor Deegan's budget and against the divisive amendments that have been tacked onto it,” said Kelly Frazier, president of the Northsid

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