The Gainesville Iguana A progressive newsletter and events calendar March, 2018 Vol. 32, Issue 3

GNV votes March 20 by Joe Courter Eastside High School and minimum Please, if you live in the City of wage work to now being a single Mom Gainesville, do not ignore the with a successful catering business that upcoming election on March 20. Voters pays its workers a living wage. on the Eastside (District 1) will have She has energized a broad coalition two races on their ballot, the rest of the of support in her campaign, stressing City but one race, but who we elect and a balance in where the City puts what they prioritize is important. its resources and development, and Everyone registered to vote can vote in arguing that we need to stop just the At-Large race. It features two can- talking about solutions but start doing didates, the incumbent, Harvey Budd, things directly to help people in need. against challenger Gail Johnson. Her life experience and desire to bring her skills to another level of impact Harvey has a long and solid history in in our community won us over to her. Gainesville. He is an accountant by trade VOTE GAIL JOHNSON. and has been active in the community as a property owner and Plan Board The District One race has three member. He has been on the Commission candidates. Incumbent Charles Goston for one term, during which he has tried and two challengers, Gigi Simmons to be a financial watchdog and seeker of and Tyra “Loudd” Edwards. We feel compromise. He is a good guy and has that either of the women running would served well, but it is his luck in this wave be better than the incumbent, bringing election to have Gail Johnson step in to fresh energy and perspective to the seat, run for his seat. and as often happens in a three-way race, this may come down to a runoff Gail has arrived just as a desire for between him and one of the challengers, by Araceli Cruz change, for women’s and minority thus voter turnout is really important One of the most impactful moments since voices and perspective, has crested. to keep Goston from the 50 percent With long ties to Gainesville, and as the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, + one, as his name recognition and is that of Emma González calling BS on granddaughter to a beloved Gainesville business community money gives him icon Joseph Judge, Gail has gone from politicians and gun laws. The 18-year-old an advantage in this race. senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Both women have brought themselves School is leading the fight against school INSIDE ... up from poverty in Gainesville. Ty has violence and has become the face of a new Editors’ Picks...... 2 closer ties to the grassroots struggles, movement of young people demanding From the Publisher ...... 3 including firsthand experience with change in gun laws. Civic Media Center. . . . . 11 homelessness. She has been an active Illustrator Lalo Alcaraz was so moved by Event Calendar...... 12-13 citizen both at Commission meetings González and her speech that he created Oral History ...... 18-19 and as a community organizer. an illustration of her, pictured above. Read Directory...... 21-23 Gigi’s path took her into public service more at: https://wearemitu.com/things-that- matter/emma-gonzalez-portrait/ D See ELECTIONS, p.21 Reflection on support forprisoners’ Operation PUSH From the publisher . . Subscribe! And a call to action in Tallahassee on March 8 against visitation cuts Marjory Stoneman Douglas would be proud The Gainesville Iguana by Panagioti Tsolkas prisoners. Some carried banners in their Tennessee, fifty years ago, he would most Here’s a big note of appreciation to the brave and powerful students of Marjory is Gainesville's progressive Stoneman Douglas High School. They took the adversity that was thrown at them and newsletter and events calendar In January, activists across Florida local MLK parades or dropped banners certainly have been in Florida supporting off overpasses for thousands to see. the prisoners of Operation PUSH. exemplify the adage of speaking truth to power. Seeing Emma Gonzales speak at that celebrated Martin Luther King Jr’s rally, all that fierce power and raw emotion, I was in awe. Individuals: $15 birthday with a renewed commitment to Others handed out flyer, pasted posters It’s not hard to have imagined him sitting (or more if you can) struggle alongside those among the most and pushed out social media. next to us as we were dragged out of the Likewise seeing Cameron Kasky go face-to-face at the Low/No income: What you can CNN town meeting with Marco Rubio and not back exploited members in our society: the It was said by many, including Angela Florida Department of Corrections lobby Groups: $20 prison slaves. (then falsely accused of “battering” law down; wow. I hope this issue will resonate across the Davis on her visit to Tallahassee, that Gainesville Iguana enforcement officers, leaving a Gainesville country, and not only to the youth. I hope that adults Over 150 organizations across the country had King not been assassinated as he P .O . Box 14712 student activist facing felony charges). recognize that they need to have this young generation’s issued statements of support for Florida joined underpaid workers in Memphis, Gainesville, FL 32604 But could he have imagined that in the back as they fight for a saner future. It is the least we time between the civil rights movement can do, as we are the generations on whose watch this Comments, suggestions, contributions he took part in and today, the slavery he madness has developed. (written or financial) are welcome. To decried as the root of poverty would have I am reminded and have distinct memories of a day in list your event or group, contact us at: actually grown exponentially, as the prison fifth grade when we did a nuclear bomb drill, around (352) 378-5655 population jumped 700 percent? 1961-62. It was not the silliness of duck and cover. No, Joe Courter we instead single-filed to hallways that did not have any GainesvilleIguana@cox .net Under the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amend- windows and sat silently, backs to the wall, head down to our knees and remained there www .gainesvilleiguana .org ment, every prisoner is a slave, and hun- for about ten or fifteen minutes. facebook .com/gainesvilleiguana dreds of thousands nationwide do the labor of maintaining the prisons, as well That may have been my first taste of what could be called meditation. In that empty silence The Iguana has been published monthly or bimonthly by volunteers See PRISONERS, p. 8 and in the days that followed, I processed whether I’d ever get home if a nuclear exchange happened, and whether I would want to bring a kid into this mad world. I have no idea if for over 30 years . Circulation for others in my generation were affected by that shared experience as I was, but we sure grew this issue is 4,500 . up to challenge the status quo as the counter culture bloomed across the country. Speak up ... Publisher: Another big event for me was a shooting of students my age by National Guardsmen Joe Courter at Kent State in the spring of 1970. Jeffrey Miller, the dead young man on the ground be a nuisance in that iconic photo, was me. He looked like me and was doing what I would’ve been Editors Emeritus: Join a local environmental society, doing that day. I was “woke” that day with a commitment that still burns, that we need Jenny Brown but see to it that it does not waste to fight back, raise awareness and build resistance. Mark Piotrowski time on superficial purposes… For all the kids across the country who have to experience shooter drills, to be herded into Editorial Board: Don’t think it is enough to attend closets or lay on the floor away from windows and wait for the all clear, may their minds Pierce Butler The mother of a Florida prisoner holds her son’s photo up during the Jan. 16 meetings and sit there like a lump…. awaken and, instead of isolation, feel the unity these MSD students are showing us. Joe Courter occupation of the Florida Department of Corrections lobby in Tallahassee. It is better to address envelopes than The MSD students knew this kid, they warned about this kid, authorities were notified Beth Grobman Community activists occupied the FDC lobby for five hours, capturing international to attend foolish meetings . Jessica Newman media attention on the corruption, abuse and slavery that occurs in Florida prisons . about him. We need to do better and deal with these sad and damaged humans in our Photo by Shoog McDaniel . It is better to study than act too midst. Help needs to be available. Production work and assistance: quickly; but it is best to be ready to Stigma needs to be eliminated about getting help. “Mental illness” was a term easily Kaithleen Hernandez act intelligently when the appropriate tossed into the discussion, but that is unfair to those have to deal with issues like Fred Sowder Editors’ picks: News that didn’t fit opportunity arises… depression, OCD, bi-polar, or autism. Maya Velesko Speak up . Learn to talk clearly and Jen Vito D Is being racist, or anti-Semitic, or misogynist, or xenophobic a mental illness? This kid Bots and the Battle for American Democracy - by The Takeaway (PRI) forcefully in public . Speak simply (Podcast) Non-state actors use bots to spread fake news and subvert democracy . was a member of his school’s NRA-supported junior ROTC shooting team. He was Distribution: and not too long at a time, without wearing the club shirt when he was arrested! We as a society need to deal with the fact Joe Courter https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444253/pri-the-takeaway that people now can find re-enforcement for a wide range of mal-adaptive attitudes and Kate Ellison preparation and knowledge . activities and even join groups of people who share such points of view. Bill Gilbert D Parkland Student Ema González Opens Up About Her Fight for Gun Be a nuisance where it counts, but The availability of guns is a big problem, yes, but the hate, fear and alienation need Sam Madeira Control by Emma González in Harpers Bazaar don’t be a bore at any time… to be addressed as well. This will not be an easy fix, but we need to recognize how Anita Sundaram Meet Emma Gonzalez through her own words; see why she and her fellow deep the problem goes. students make so much sense . Do your part to inform and stimulate Contact us if you can help with https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a18715714/protesting-nra-gun- the public to join your action…. Seeing solidarity walk-outs across the country is a powerful sign this IS resonating. distribution in outlying areas . MSD students could have just had hand-holding prayer circles and made a mountain control-true-story/ Be depressed, discouraged and of flowers. But no, they went at the problem head on. They had the audacity to think Authors and photographers have D disappointed at failure and the Top Ten Signs the US is the Most Corrupt Nation in the World by Juan big, and put their grief and anger into fighting back, speaking out against the NRA and sole credit, responsibility for, and Cole in Informed Comment disheartening effects of ignorance, impacting it like no group has before. Legislatures are squirming in their presence, rights to their work . From Trump buying the presidency with his own money to the drug war corrupting greed, corruption and bad politics — corporations, too. In drawing big crowds in Tallahassee, Washington, DC, and so many Cover drawing of iguana by Daryl police departments, Transparency International likens the United States to Austria but never give up . other places, they are seeing their power, and they know they are not alone. in terms of corruptness . Harrison . Marjory Stoneman Douglas Saturday, March 24, at 11am is the March For Our Lives at the Bo Diddley Plaza. https://www.juancole.com/2018/02/signs-corrupt-nation.html Printed on recycled paper . (1890-1998) See you there. D page 2, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 3 Remembering investigative journalist Robert Parry CMC board member featured in book on Latin America CMC Board Member Ronnie Lovler and It was exciting experience for all What made Bob Parry a trailblazer for independent journalism UF alum Elizabeth Holli Wood are two involved in this project. Lovler shared also made him a bridge burner with the media establishment of the contributors to this book that pays her thoughts about the book and the homage to what we as women can do, process of making it a reality in a brief This article originally appeared on The oversaw the website’s scrutiny of elite wis- and our ability to share our experiences. interview with The Iguana shortly after website on Jan . 29 . View more at Nation’s dom. His work, which included authoring Their writings demonstrate this in Alone www .thenation .com . her return from Colombia. six books, won the I.F. Stone Medal for Together: Ties of Sisterhood and Solitude Journalistic Independence from Harvard’s She praised the editors for coming up with By Norman Solomon in Latin America . Nieman Foundation in 2015 and, last year, the idea and then it making it a reality. After Robert Parry died on January 27, I Lovler and Holli Wood will read excerpts the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism. “Writers can write, but for the editors the asked another great investigative journal- from their book in an event on Wednesday, I got to see Bob at work up close, in 1996, process was perhaps a bit more challenging, ist, Seymour Hersh, for some words. April 11, at 7pm at the CMC. when we co-wrote a series on a media because they had to select which writers “I ran into Bob more than three decades darling: “Behind Colin Powell’s Legend.” Lovler’s chapter, “Journalist don’t shoot,” would be invited to be a part of the book, ago when he was the first to warn of the During interviews, Bob was politely un- examines her life and experiences as a and then organize the chapters of the book Iran/Contra affair, to little avail,” Hersh re- relenting. He had a methodical zest for journalist in Latin America from Puerto in a way that would appeal to the reader plied. “He was widely seen over the next plowing through documents, determined Rico to Nicaragua to El Salvador during and make sense, “ Lovler said. years as a critic of the mainstream media in to “master the material.” And he was pro- the turbulent 1970s and 1980s. As to her own writing, Lovler said the “big- America. That was not so. He was a critic fessionally generous; I wrote just a small Holli Wood, who is of Cuban descent, gest challenge was to find the right writer’s of lousy reporting, be it in Pravda or The proportion of the articles, but he insisted Wednesday, April 11, 7pm writes of her experiences in Cuba on a voice to tell my experiences and decide New York Times. He wanted every jour- that I share the byline on every one. nalist, everywhere, to do the research and Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main recent trip to the homeland she is just now what to include about my experiences and the interviewing that it takes to get beyond Bob was notably non-ideological. What getting to know. Holli Wood is the creator what to omit. I feel that I managed to con- the accepted headline.” propelled him was a moral core and de- by Joe Courter of the podcast, The Future is Gross. vey my experiences in an entertaining and termination to follow the facts. That de- informative way and I hope that those who What made Bob Parry a trailblazer for Take three editors and more than 30 writ- The two recently took part in panel votion led him to expose the lethal de- eyesight, Bob somehow was able to write read my chapter will agree.” independent journalism also made him ceptions and machinations of Reagan-era what turned out to be his final article, bril- ers (all women) and what you will come discussions during the official launch of a bridge burner with the media estab- figures like Oliver North, Elliott Abrams, liant and transcendent, a kind of cri de up with is a book that (we think) is a fas- the book in Bogota, Colombia, where the The book is available on Amazon in ebook lishment. He refused to take on faith cinating look at the experiences of women three editors who came up with the idea and paperback versions and will be available and Caspar Weinberger. coeur that is a stunning last testament to D the official story, whether from govern- “the journalistic principles of skepticism traveling and working in Latin America. for this adventure live. for purchase at the CMC reading. Three decades later, the same resolve to ments or news outlets. and evenhandedness.” separate fact from spun fiction put him on After winning acclaim, including a Polk a collision course with the conventional Western journalists, he wrote, “now ap- Award, as an Associated Press reporter wisdom of “Russiagate.” parently see it as their patriotic duty to who broke many big stories on deadly hide key facts that otherwise would un- US policies in Central America, he No one knew better than Bob Parry how dermine the demonizing of Putin and spent three years at Newsweek—where intelligence agencies and major media Russia. Ironically, many ‘liberals’ who he saw top editors collaborating with outlets can create a cascading frenzy. cut their teeth on skepticism about the officials of the George H.W. Bush ad- Beginning in late 2016, Bob was prolific ministration on what should be shared as he debunked the torrent of hyperbolic Cold War and the bogus justifications for or withheld from the public. claims about Russia that became an ever- the Vietnam War now insist that we must all accept whatever the US intelligence Bob left the magazine in 1990, and soon present flood across the US media land- scape. Some progressive sites went from community feeds us, even if we’re told to his relations with mainstream media accept the assertions on faith.” had a whistle-blower quality. His 1992 often posting his articles in 2016 to rarely book Fooling America: How Washington or never posting them in 2017. At the close of a lengthy tribute that ap- Insiders Twist the Truth and Manufacture “For years, the mainstream, establishment peared the day after his father’s death, Nat the Conventional Wisdom named names media have, by their malpractices in cov- Parry wrote that, “ultimately, Bob was and pulled no punches. ering US-Russian relations from Ukraine motivated by a concern over the future of life on Earth. As someone who grew up at Midway through the decade, Bob did a to ‘Russiagate,’ been deeply complicit in the unfolding of this new Cold War and the height of the Cold War, he understood stint as director of the Nation Institute’s the dangers of allowing tensions and hys- investigative unit. His writing for The its unprecedented dangers,” said Russia scholar Stephen F. Cohen, a contributing teria to spiral out of control, especially in Nation during 1996 included pieces about a world such as ours with enough nuclear the CIA and drug trafficking by the Nica- editor at The Nation. “Bob Parry, very often alone, exposed those malpractices, weapons to wipe out all life on the planet raguan contras, the bankrolled power of many times over.” right-wing foundations, and a seven-page especially those committed by the pow- expose that is chilling to read more than erful New York Times and Washington Robert Parry carried the lantern high. 30 years later—an investigative report on Post, misreported story by misreported Now others will need to carry it on. story, sometimes daily. For this, he was the Koch brothers. For a longer, more in-depth look at ostracized, slurred, certainly ignored by Robert Parry’s life, check out the piece In 1995, Parry launched a unique journal- mainstream media.” istic space, Consortiumnews.com, where by his son at https://consortiumnews . he worked intensely as publisher, editor, At the end of December, a week after his com/2018/01/28/robert-parrys-legacy- and writer. For the next 22 years, Parry first stroke left him with badly blurred and-the-future-of-consortiumnews/ . D page 4, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 5 Veterans for Peace announces fourth annual Upcoming events at Working Food Center, Gainesville Tomato Bootcamp **REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED** college scholarship program for local students Please visit Working Food’s Facebook Gainesville Veterans for Peace Chapter By creating this scholarship, Veterans for Peace is attempting Sunday, March 18, 10am-1pm page or website at workingfood.org for 14 announces its fourth annual Peace to follow the example of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai who Grow Hub 2802 NE 8th Ave. more information and to register. D Scholarship Program for the spring of has urged the US to end wars and to refocus on education as a It’s not easy to grow tomatoes in the 2018. tool of economic justice. south. Our humidity, heat, pest and dis- They are awarding three college scholar- Gainesville Veterans for Peace is asking the public to spread in- Veggie Fermentation Workshop ease pressure can wreak havoc in the gar- Hey, Readers! ships of $750 each to high school seniors, college students or formation about this scholarship program. den. This fun three-hour workshop will Saturday, March 17, 10am-1pm The Gainesville Iguana adults in Alachua County who have a commitment to activities To be eligible to apply for the Peace Scholarship, the applicant let you in on the secrets to successfully Working Food Center, 219 NW 10th Ave. has opened a PayPal involving social justice and peace, conflict resolution and/or must be either: growing tomatoes in the south. From nonviolent social change. seed starting to seed saving, we’ll do it account, and we’re now 1) a high school senior planning to enroll in full-time undergrad- Join the Working Food Center for their sea- Veterans for Peace created these scholarships to give financial all. Topics to be covered are how to start accepting donations through uate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university sonal vegetable fermentation workshop. If from your own seeds, variety selection, our website at www . support to students who are planning careers in pursuit of a or vocational-technical school in the United States for the 2018- you’ve ever wondered about making your world of social justice and equity. basic maintenance and care (i.e. trellising gainesvilleiguana .org . 2019 academic year, own sauerkraut, kimchi and other vegeta- techniques, suckering, pruning), saving “To me, receiving the Veterans for Peace Scholarship meant that 2) a college student currently enrolled and in good standing, or ble ferments, this is the class for you. seeds, and breeding your own varieties. Go to our home page and there are people in our community who truly believe in helping just click on the Donate 3) an adult student enrolling in higher education who needs fi- A little bit of education on why this stuff Light snacks and refreshments will be change and shape our society for the betterment of all. There are not is so good for you, with a lot of hands on with PayPal to support us many scholarships such as VFP Peace Scholarship because work nancial assistance. available. Feel free to bring your own, too, demonstrations where YOU will chop, for social justice is often overlooked in our world,” said 2016 Peace as we will be together over the lunch hour. via PayPal account or credit Peace Scholarship applicants will be asked to provide a brief salt, brine and pack your own ferments. If you have a folding chair, bring it. If plants Scholarship recipient Mariana Castro, a University of Florida stu- card . autobiographical statement and evidence of leadership and/or You’ll take home several jars of tasty, are ready, we will be selling tomato plants. dent, community organizer and president of UF CHISPAS. personal initiative in activities in an organization – including bubbly ferments good for the belly, good Bring cash, check or credit cards. Suggest- We thank you very much! The great majority of Veterans for Peace scholarships awarded volunteer or paid work – relating to peace and social justice, for soul, and perfect for sharing. ed donation of $15-25 to help cover costs. thus far have gone to first-generation college students as well as conflict resolution and/or nonviolent social change. Applicants to community college students. will also need to provide two letters of recommendation. 2016 scholarship recipient Doug Bernal, an Iraq War veteran, APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 25 Knowledge brings power – explained the economic challenges facing student veterans: The application (PDF file) along with the full announcement and “Like many newly separated veterans, I struggled financially instructions for applying can be found and downloaded from the the power to not be misled, for quite some time after leaving the service. Unsure of where I Gainesville Veterans for Peace website at http://www.vfpgaines- wanted to go in life and lacking the confidence to pursue higher ville.org/. Applications should be printed out, completed and the power to have a say . . education, I found myself taking on more debt as time went on. postal mailed to: Paul Ortiz, c/o Veterans for Peace Scholarship When I finally decided to pursue school, it was difficult to pur- Program, 2115 NW 7th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32603. chase books and pay bills while waiting for my GI Bill benefits to come through. I didn’t initially have the grades for financial The postmarked deadline for the application is April 25. It Is About You: aid, so the VFP scholarship was instrumental in getting me the Peace Scholarship recipients will be announced at the Gainesville books I so desperately needed and putting me on a path to a suc- VFP Peace Poetry Awards Ceremony in May. For questions, con- How American cessful college experience.” tact Paul Ortiz at: [email protected] or call 831-334-0131. D Government Works VFP Peace Poetry Contest call for submissions Veterans for Peace Gainesville announces use of language. The winners will be pub- and How to its 9th Annual Alachua County Peace lished in the 2018 Peace Poetry Book and Poetry Contest, where all students, asked to recite their poems at the public grades K–12, are encouraged to submit Peace Poetry Reading in May at the Unitar- Help Fix It one original poem focusing on the idea of ian Universalist Fellowship in Gainesville. peace and social justice. Winners will also receive valuable gift cer- tificates to a local bookstore. • Nonpartisan, plain-language The deadline for submitting a poem to the contest is April 6, 2018. If you or your student(s) want(s) to guide to the basics submit a poem to this year’s Peace Poetry Last year, more than 240 students Contest, the deadline for submissions submitted poems, and the winners were • Copy of U.S. Constitution in is April 6, 2018. Poems can be submitted invited to read their poems aloud at the via email to vfppeacepoetrycontest@ Labor Notes Conference Peace Poetry Reading, where they were the book gmail.com or via mail to: April 6-8, 2018 in Chicago presented with their awards. Two winners read their poems at the Veterans for Peace VFP Peace Poetry Contest, 2115 NW 7th • Available on Amazon in Winter Solstice Concert in December in Lane, Gainesville, FL 32603 paperback and Kindle front of more than 350 attendees. For more information, please email A panel of local authors and poets will judge [email protected] or versions Subscribe $30/year the poems based on creativity, content, and call Sheila Payne at 831-334-0117. D page 6, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 7 From PRISONERS, p. 2 dignity, it appears they may be on the were injured during the disturbance and conditions, a visionary plan aimed at fundamentally changing as get contracted out to government agen- road to manifesting JFK’s prediction. received outside medical treatment for the penal system began taking root across the state. cies, universities, and private companies. Despite a month of extreme repression, non-life-threatening injuries. There were In choosing the primary tactics of withholding labor and boycotting no inmate injuries. The Department has commissary, they advocated actions that arguably fall within In response to this exploitation, Operation FDC can’t control the building pressure transferred all inmates involved in the constitutional rights of political and religious expression, even for PUSH prisoners called for a peaceful but inside these human warehouses. On Currently seeking local artists to paint a incident to different facilities and will prisoners. In addition, these prisoners asked for help to amplify their powerful strategy of noncooperation. Thursday, February 15, a “disturbance” take appropriate disciplinary action.” message as far as possible. The main goal, in one prisoner’s words, permanent piece of their own on the inside And as J.F. Kennedy said in 1962, was reported at the Columbia C.I. Annex being “to shine a light from the outside in on the system.” of the SW downtown parking garage. “Those who make peaceful revolution prison, just west of Gainesville. While Note this is the same agency with 428 details remain unclear, signs point to yet inmate deaths in 2017, an unexplained 20 impossible will make violent revolution Despite the establishment’s attempt to make prisoners invisible, For more information call 786-478-5486 another uprising. percent increase over previous years, this movement, calling itself Operation PUSH, reached a global inevitable.” After FDC’s attempts to Email: [email protected] suppress prisoners standing up for the In FDC’s words: “ Five staff members Shortly before this event, the Gainesville- audience. While maintaining anonymity, PUSH’s statement based Campaign to Fight Toxic Prisons captured interest from at least 50 news outlets ranging from received a letter from Columbia Annex international heavy hitters like the Guardian, Washington Post prisoner Paul Luxama. He explained that and Newsweek to local radio shows and bloggers. Within a he had been transferred from Jackson week of announcing their plan, over a hundred organizations had C.I. following the nationwide uprisings signed on in solidarity. of September 2016. Luxama points out Around the same time, a public records request by Florida that “there’s no such thing as a peaceful Institutional Legal Services revealed that FDC had already been boycott against [FDC],” and he elaborates conducting surveillance on many of these organizations over extensively on the experience at Jackson the past year. Through correspondence from prisoners, we also where simple acts of refusal resulted in learned that FDC is attempting to designate groups like Fight brutal retaliation thus creating a violent Toxic Prisons essentially as gangs (or “Security Threat Groups”) situation which put people at risk. in order to further restrict our communications. “[FDC] perceives peaceful boycotts Alongside this interest and solidarity, we are seeing the growth of not as a threat to security but as a a national level of pressure on the prison system unparalleled since threat to their power over the slaves’ the tumultuous era of prisoner organizing in the ‘70s, characterized minds and a threat to their bottom by the Attica uprising —which occurred at a time when prison line,” writes Luxama. populations were less than one quarter of the current size. While we will once again have to wait Keep PUSHing for direct contact from prisoners to find Conditions in Florida prisons have gotten so bad and so well- out the real story, we are left with MLK’s documented that there is nowhere left for the system to turn. reminder after a long summer of upheaval in 1966: “We’ve got to see that a riot is According to a spokesperson for the Florida DOC, Ashley the language of the unheard.” Cook, the solidarity activists’ statements were “absolutely not true” and “no Florida inmates participated in work stoppages, To add insult to injury, FDC has just an- all daily operations are continuing as normal, including inmate nounced a plan to massively cut back phone privileges.” They are digging their own grave, and every visitation access, in tandem with an in- lie like this they tell digs it deeper. The DOC says there was troduction of video visitation technology no such thing as Operation PUSH, no prisoner strike and no which will generate profits for private retaliation against organizers. contractors at the expense of families of prisoners. Some of these family members We know this to be a lie. Not every prisoner went on strike of course, and not every camp had activity. But we have are now vowing to join Operation Push documented over a dozen facilities that showed signs of pressure: supporters on March 8, at noon in front shakedowns, limiting communication (including state phones of the FDC headquarters in Tallahassee. getting turned off), significantly increased staffing, relocation of On January 15, Operation PUSH cap- suspected organizers, and the use of disciplinary confinement in tured the world’s attention by declaring the weeks surrounding Jan 15. their intention to “lay down” for at least All of this costs the prison system time, money and social capital. a month, and they. Perhaps some have de- cided it’s time to start standing back up. Operation PUSH is far from over. It will only continue to grow What follows is a reflection on the past and evolve, culminating in a Juneteeneth celebration that will month, a look at what we’ve learned and mark, loud and clear, the coming end of prison slavery. what’s to come. For a full version of this article visit FightToxicPrisons.org D How PUSH comes to shove About three months ago, around mid- October, a small group of rebels emerged “Injustice anywhere anonymously from the stagnant swamp is a threat to justice everywhere.” gulags of Florida. After decades of tension building alongside soaring incarceration - Martin Luther King, Jr . rates and plummeting standards in prison page 8, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 9 www.civicmediacenter.org WGOT-LP Gainesville celebrates 10 years on air [email protected] By Michele LeSure 352-373-0010 crowd. Perhaps most importantly, thanks but we also need copywriters and editors, 433 S. Main St., Gainesville 32601 WGOT Underwriting Coordinator to all of the WGOT-LP volunteers who volunteers to help us find show sponsors in the Gainesville community, programmers Park just to the south on SE 5th Ave, or after WGOT-LP, the Civic Media Center’s low work hard to organize these live shows 7 pm at the courthouse (just north of 4th power radio station, has reached another as well as to program our 24/7 broadcast for our daily broadcasts, and folks to table Ave), or GRU (2 blocks east of CMC). milestone, and adding talk programming schedule, troubleshoot system problems, at the various local events we attend each such as The Thom Hartmann Program record weekly shows via podcast, and a year. We have been at many events such Civic Media Center Events variety of office and administrative work. as the Mini-Maker Faire, Veggie Fest, and Every Thu Volunteer Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm, Zine Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, and local and live music programs such Poetry Jam, 8pm as Gainesville Grooves and Jimmy Rocks Active Streets. We have met many great Board positions are open in the areas of people who will no doubt be tuning into, if are just the beginning. sponsorship, IT, and public service. Others Thu, Mar 8 Travelling to Solidarity Protest with Prisoners on Strike at FDOC in not volunteering for, WGOT-LP. Tallahassee National award-winning shows such as may choose to support WGOT-LP by buy- Do you have an idea for a radio show or Fri, Mar 9 “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter,” film in celebration of Democracy Now!, Alternative Radio, and ing t-shirts, contributing to our GoFundMe International Women’s Day, 7:30pm want to help in other ways? We want to The Midnight Afropop Worldwide are longtime compo- campaign (https://www.gofundme.com/ Sat, Mar 10 Community Meditation, 9-10am hear about it. You can call WGOT-LP at 223 S. Main Street, Gainesville nents of our weekly schedule. Our music wgotto1001) for new studio construction, Poetry Brunch Potluck,11am-2pm (352) 519-4680, email us at info@wgot. Tuesday, March 20 is diverse, featuring indie rock, jazz, and or turning out for our events such as the Divest Gainesville Meeting, 3-5pm org, or send a letter to: more. Consider us the college radio sta- aforementioned 10-year birthday show. 7:30pm Peace Farms Initiative discussion with Larry Smith, 7-10pm $15 suggested donation tion UF doesn’t have. 100.1 FM WGOT-LP Gainesville Mon, Mar 12 Movie: Gentleman Bank Robber - true story of lesbian-anarcho- We invite everyone to volunteer for feminist bank robber, 7pm P.O. Box 14012 Our 10th Birthday Bash at The Atlantic in WGOT-LP. Now that we are in the same Tue, Mar 13 IWOC Meeting, 6-8pm Gainesville, FL 32604 January was a huge success, and we have building as our partner, The Civic Media Hellraiser Anne Feeney Takes CMC Stage! Don’t miss this! 8pm many people to thank, from the local Center and Stetson Kennedy Library, it Ready to volunteer? Come to our next Wed, Mar 14 Marcy LaHart speaks on how to efficiently obtain public records in business owners who donated generously will be easier for volunteers to have a home volunteer meeting on Sunday, March 18 honor of Sunshine Week, time TBA to our raffle, to the bands Radon, Whis- base. You can bring so many different at 3pm at Third House Books and Coffee Fri, Mar 16 Open Jam, 8pm-2am key & Co., Piss Test, and Demo, who things when it comes to volunteering with (113 N Main St. in Gainesville). Hope to Sat, Mar 17 Community Meditation, 9am-10am performed to a dedicated and enthusiastic us. Being a DJ or show host is obvious, see you there! D Indivisible Gainesville Book Club, 2-4pm Food Not Bombs Jam Out Fundraiser, 8-11:30pm Sun, Mar 18 Shout your Abortion! - two women on Bible Belt Abortion Storytelling Tour!, 7pm Roy Zimmerman: ReZist Mon, Mar 19 Movie: Human Flow - Ai Wei Wei film on the world refugee crisis, 7pm Tuesday, March 20, 7:30pm Tue, Mar 20 Women in 1930s Films: The Women, time TBA The Midnight, 223 South Main St. Wed, Mar 21 Now, You Talk: Communication Skills Workshop, 6-8pm Fri, Mar 23 Live Music Benefit for CMC, bands TBA, 8-10pm ReZist is ninety minutes of Roy Zimmerman’s original songs – a Sat, Mar 24 Community Meditation, 9-10am funny and forceful affirmation of Peace and Social Justice. Peace Farms Initiative - discussion with Larry Smith, 7-10pm Mon, Mar 26 Black Hats presents: Race - The Power of an Illusion for extra Roy’s songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime, and his credit for Alachua County Schools, 4-6pm videos have garnered tens of millions of views. He has recorded IWOC meeting, 6pm for Warner/Reprise Records. He’s shared stages with Bill Maher, Wed, Mar 28 Black Hats presents: Race - The Power of an Illusion for extra credit for Alachua County Schools, 4-6pm Ellen DeGeneres, Holly Near, Robin Williams, Arlo Guthrie, Fri, Mar 30 Black Hats presents: Race - The Power of an Illusion for extra John Oliver, Kate Clinton and George Carlin, and tours the credit for Alachua County Schools, 4-6pm country constantly with his wife and co-writer Melanie Harby. Survivors of Violence Art Exhibit for ArtWalk, 7pm See Roy and hear his funny songs on peace and justice on Sat, Mar 31 Community Meditation, 9-10am Tuesday, March 20 at 7:30pm at The Midnight, 223 South Gators Against Human Trafficking Intl. Food Festival,1-3pm Main St. in Gainesville. Suggested donation is $15. ReZist People’s Empowerment Series: Anti-Fascism Movement, 5-7pm is presented by the Civic Media Center. Advance tickets are Sun, Apr 1 IWW Meeting, 6pm available through Eventbrite.D Mon, Apr 2 Movie: Planned Parenthood presents “The Hunting Ground,” 7pm Tue, Apr 3 Women in 1930s Films: Dames, Time TBA Wed, Apr 4 Now, You Talk: Communication Skills Workshop Fri, Apr 6 Open Jam & Art Show, 8pm-2am Sat, Apr 7 IWW Organizer Training 101, 10am-5pm Sun, Apr 8 IWW Organizer Training 101, 10am-5pm Mon, Apr 9 Movie, 7pm Tue, Apr 10 IWOC Meeting, 6pm Tina & Her Pony - Queer Lady Night, 8:30pm Wed, Apr 11 Ronnie’s Lovler Book Launch event at CMC, 7pm Fri, Apr 13 Spring Board! See pg 24. To be held at Working Food, 219 NW 10th Ave, 6:30pm Sat, Apr 14 WGOT Jam Sesh benefit for the CMC radio station, 5-8pm

Please support the CMC however you can: volunteering, memberships, donations, ideas, attendance at our events. Grassroots support keeps us going. page 10, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 11

Latin American Studies Center conference: Buen Vivar and other Post- Development Pathways Sunday-Tuesday, April 8-10 Emerson Alumni Hall, UF You are invited to join an explora- tion of lifeways motivated by desire A destination game store and parlor. for human and ecological health, harmony, pleasure, community, and 4401 NW 25th Pl., Suite G, Gainesville, FL 32605 (access from NW 43rd St) sovereignty at the 67th annual con- 352-378-PLAY (7529) ference of the UF Center for Latin Find us online at gainesvilletabletop.com and Facebook American Studies. Over the past century, people and places across Latin America have been shaped by national and interna- tional efforts toward “development,” conceived as economic growth and as- similation of western institutions and lifestyles. Concomitant loss of bio- logical and cultural diversity, together with increasing environmental degra- dation, provoke reappraisal of radi- cally diverse paths toward wellbeing. In sync with Latin American Stud- ies Association 2018 theme “Latin American Studies in a Globalized World,” we consider local visions and practices in the context of south-south conversations and south-north learn- ing and power relations. Speakers include Ecuadorian ecolog- ical economist Alberto Acosta, Co- lombian anthropologist Arturo Esco- bar, Indian environmentalist Ashish Kothari, Ecuadorian feminist Silvia Vega Ugalde, Argentine co-founder of Alternautas Adrien Beling, UF alumna geographer Diane Rocheleau, Senior Fellow at Worldwatch Insti- tute Erik Assadourian and University of Puerto Rico Environmental Plan- ner Gustavo García-López. The registration deadline for the April 8-10 conference at Emerson Alumni Hall at UF is March 24. Cost is $10 for UF students, $25 for UF staff and faculty, and $100 for oth- ers. A $50 late registration fee will be added after March 24. More details are available at http:// www.latam.ufl.edu/news--events/ annual-conference/ D page 14, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 15 Phosphate mining update: ‘opportunistic, irreversible decision’ By Kate Ellison Pritchett, Shadd, and Howard) already order to complete the process of updating People are worried about a proposed have hundreds of employees. the county Comprehensive Plan and Land Phosphate Mine spanning the New River The opposition will not share the cost of Development Regulations. Alachua County’s in Bradford and Union Counties. Resi- hiring OEC, but HPS II is happy to pay. About a dozen people spoke in support of “No Pressure” Realtor dents of Alachua County are affected, Jim Gross, director of Florida Defenders the moratorium and a strong Comp Plan at because this mine is just north of where of the Environment, said, “This sounds the Dec. 18 Commission meeting, its third the New River meets the Santa Fe flowing quite a bit like the Fox guarding the hen reading. There were no public comments No buyer fees and along Alachua County’s border with these house. Just how likely is it that the consul- against the moratorium extension, only ob- listing commission is two rural counties. Additionally, water tant will find anything but compliance?” jections from the lawyer hired by HPS II. only 1.5% underground knows no borders. This law firm has filed two lawsuits alleg- County attorney Will Sexton sees no con- This is an opportunistic, irreversible de- ing the moratorium is an unlawful delay. At flict with HPS II paying the full $53,000+ their February 19 meeting, Union County Let me help you find cision by landowners with long range because accepting money from interested implications for our shared environment. commissioners approved 5-0 for County your next perfect fit parties is commonly done when folks want Attorney Russ Wade to fight the most recent People in outlying counties are waking up to close a county road, for example, and home! and need our support. HPS lawsuit to prove the moratorium is le- the county is incurring extra expenses. He gal. Alachua County is supporting Union Bradford: I think we know where did grant these contributions were usually County’s efforts to defend themselves. Sandy Malone, Realtor this is going “for non-controversial issues”. The HPS II “interested parties” are seeking a particu- The final Mining Comprehensive Plan C. 352-575-4080 The Bradford County Commission decid- Amendment Adoption Public Hearing is ed last year to hire Onsite Environmental lar outcome from the county, permission to strip-mine at the edge of a river, in wetland scheduled for April 16 at 5pm. We need to [email protected] Consultants (OEC) for $53,265.00. The pack the hearing room that night to show consultants will generate a report evaluat- areas prone to flooding. The consultants www.goldenrulerealestate.com have not started their study. Commissioners we support the ratification ing whether the HPS II permit application of this new Comp Plan. Meetings are held at for a phosphate mine will comply with The consultant issue appears to be a setup the Courthouse in Lake Butler, side entrance. regulations. Commissioners had the idea to to justify County approval. Everyone is Union County Commissioners have ask both HPS II and opposition groups to encouraged to attend Commission meet- scheduled the revisions and hearings cover the cost of hiring this firm. This was ings (first Monday of each month, 9:30 throughout 2018, ending with adopting never something the opposition considered AM, and third Thursday, 6:30 PM) and the new Mining Land Development doing. This is the resolution they voted on, speak up, especially Bradford County Regulations Amendments on December as written in their October 19 minutes: citizens. Residents can call or write their 17. Each meeting is important to attend. Commissioner Durrance moved to accept commissioners. Their contact info is pub- Meetings will be posted on the CAPM the proposal submitted by Onsite Envi- lished on http://www.bradfordcountyfl. Facebook page. ronmental Consulting, LLC . He would gov/commissioners. Citizens opposing the mine meet monthly prefer the costs be split equally . However, Union County: A very different picture on the second Tuesday of the month at it would not be judicious of the Board to In Union County, the commissioners are 6pm, 165 SW 4th Ave. in Lake Butler. turn down the money should the applicant Keep up with news on Facebook by decide to pay all the costs . Commission- listening to their constituents. The Coun- ty Commission has adopted another year searching @nomining4phosphateBU, or er Dougherty seconded the motion. The D MOTION CARRIED 4-1, with Commis- extension of their mining moratorium, in visiting oursantaferiver.org/. sioner Chandler dissenting . Frank Durrance is the commissioner from the proposed mining area (Brooker). The “opposition” is a loose association of grassroots groups under the name Citi- zens Against Phosphate Mining in North Central Florida (CAPM). This includes Our Santa Fe River, Santa Fe Lake Dwell- ers, the Suwannee Riverkeeper, plus many other individuals. Those who live near the proposed mining area, just north of Brooker and Worthington Springs on both sides of the New River, can see that they will be harmed by this mine. Resi- dents of our whole area can see that a new mine will probably harm the New River and adjacent wetlands, the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers, the Floridan Aquifer, and air quality. Few new jobs will be cre- ated, since the HPS landowners (Hazen, page 16, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 17 from Florida A&M. This guy run a Black port to the FBI and the FBI took a copy, and [a] long line of tables and chairs. the EC History and the people who make it: Clarence Sears funeral home, Hearst, and his son Rodney put it on the sheriff’s desk. The Sheriff was sits on that end, and Kleckster, which is Hearst, in junior high in Jacksonville, Dale Carson, who was a former FBI agent. Clarence Sears [S], FBI KKK infiltrator, notorious Neo-Nazi outfit. Eddie came called me, said “You know what’s going me, the security guy, sits at the other end, leading the NAACP youth council. was interviewed by Ryan Morini [M] in home one night and said “We got to on out there. What about JB Stoner?” I They were sure this guy was straight with and the Klud is over here, and people all Rodney Hearst and his kids, mostly August, 2015 . get the hell out of Atlanta.” Homer and told them about the bombs that he made the law, but he was on vacation or some- stand around. girls of junior high school, they lined up those idiots were getting ready to [blow] in Jacksonville, and it sounded a little too thing, and he left that on his desk. Jaime Walker was our EC. Jaime said, This is the 46th in a series of transcript protesting, joined with a guy that went to up Ralph McGill’s home. Ralph McGill sophisticated, that envelope bomb, for Somebody passed the report to the Klan. “We have a big problem. Somebody has excerpts from the UF Samuel Proctor Florida State, a redheaded White guy. Oral History Program collection . was editor of the Atlanta Constitution JB. But he had the heart to do it. The local police didn’t do anything. The written a report, I’ve got it right here.” It and Atlanta Journal. Eddie was a devout Of course right away the police laid hands fire department got out there with hoses, wasn’t that good of a report by the way Transcript edited by Pierce Butler M: You were with Eddy Iverson, after Nazi, but he wasn’t that devout. He said, you’d come out of the service, correct? on this White guy, and threw him in jail, and laid down the riot. That’s where I ar- [Laughter]. “Had the names of everybody Content note: This interview includes “We don’t want to get arrested.” and he got roughed up pretty bad. He was rived. Mercer Johns said “Brother Sears, that was in that building, including Brother S: I was AWOL. It was while I was in offensive racial slurs, repeated intact So we went hitchhiking, and we from Miami. I forgot his name. we got to get down to the jail, bail these Kersey from Samsula, and his tag numbers. the service. [Laughter]. It was January here for historical accuracy . ended up in my father’s hometown, in Anyway, they made plans for Jackson- people out. We’ll go get some money.” All people, including Clarence Sears, too.” of [19]47, so I would have been 19. That Massachusetts. The House Un-American ville’s moment of history. Mrs. Duckworth, a local rich woman, He held it up, and of course there was my S: I’m 87 years old. Lived in Jacksonville whole episode in Atlanta was probably lived in a house boat at the end of Pearl report. I’m waiting. “Oh God, this is it.” all my life. Was in the Air Force at the two, three months. “On Saturday we’re going to let the Johnny end of World War II. Went to Jacksonville Rebs,” – the junior Klan, teenaged boys. – Street. Mercer goes on the houseboat, an He says, “You remember we were in the M: How did you get involved with the University and the University of Florida. “start a fight with these demonstrators, and hour or so, and finally comes back with a Woodland Acres club house there was a FBI? I had a career with the railroad. I was a then the adult Klansmen will come in with lot of money. I’m worried now. My wife wire going out, and there was a crappy train director, something like a dispatcher. S: Jack Price and I were going to JU fists and clubs, and beat the hell out of them.” didn’t know what happened to me. The little house trailer parked out there?” Worked at night, talking to crews on the Junior College. Jack was working for FBI is going nuts because I was supposed I put in my report all this, things like That was when Haydon Burns was mayor trains. I spent 45 years doing that. the Jewish community. They’re getting to go to a phone booth, I have a pocket Mrs. Johnston, who was a teacher at of the city – later ran for governor. “Hay- real upset, because these White Citizens full of nickels, but I hadn’t had a chance. M: Where did you grow up in Annie Belin school on the west side, she don Burns’ agents were in the trailer writ- Councils were springing up all over the Jacksonville? was going to fall down in front of these It was starting to get dark when we got ing down everything said in that meet- south. He said, “They want somebody demonstrators and pretend that she had back to the police station. Finally, Mercer ing.” [Laughter]. Not one mention of FBI. S: On the north side, in a working that will make sure what’s going on. Don’t been struck by one of them, to give the got busy with somebody else, and I They called the local police communists, class community. I was a Baptist. I’m a think it’s anti-Semitic but it could be. You Johnny Rebs the right to move in and beat disappeared. I call the FBI, and the guy, and they were the enemies. It wasn’t so Unitarian now. interested?” I says, “Yeah, I guess.” the hell out of all these demonstrators. about to blow up, “What the hells? Why but – they’re stupid. So I kind of relaxed. M: Your father was from Boston? So he connected me with B’nai Brith, didn’t you call us before now? The main That didn’t happen, but that’s what the [To be continued in the April Iguana.] S: and the anti-defamation league, the ADL. thing,” he says, “You call your wife. He was a Catholic from Boston. He plan was. Mrs. Johnston whose husband died when I was nine. I was really raised They liked [that] I would fit in real good, Ellen’s about to go nuts. You call and tell Search for “Clarence Sears” at http:// was a chiropractor, nice guy by the way. by my Baptist mother. I knew the language. I knew how to her you’re okay. We’ll talk later.” So, I got oral.history.ufl.edu for the recording of Some of these people in the Klan were pronounce “grits” [Laughter]. So, I got home to my poor little wife [Laughter]. this interview . I was a teenager hitchhiking around, and I Activities Committee called them in to decent neighborhood people. Some were involved. There was a FBI agent who was ended up in Atlanta, Georgia Tech, a place testify, and exposed them. A whole bunch really awful. They were ready to go kill The EC – Exalted Cyclops, president of The Samuel Proctor Oral History Jewish – Bennett Hirsh. He grew up in called The Varsity, a drive-in restaurant. I of them got arrested for conspiracy to a bunch of niggers if they could. That’s the club – said, “We’re going to meet Program believes that listening carefully Springfield, in Jacksonville. I didn’t like worked in The Varsity. There was a hotbed blow up people’s homes. the way they talked. But officers in the tomorrow night in Brother Fowler’s to first-person narratives can change the idea of spying, and Bennett, didn’t of neo-Nazis, I mean really serious, One of them eventually ran for governor Klan were generally people who went to house,” he’s the Chaplain, an old Baptist the way we understand history, from like it either. He was in favor leaving wearing brown shirts, and something of Georgia. This guy, J.B. Stoner, he was neighborhood church, and they weren’t preacher, but he didn’t have a church. I scholarly questions to public policy . these people alone if they’re not doing like a swastika, a bolt with lightning. We a licensed attorney in Georgia, and head all nuts [Laughter]. went in, and the windows were all draped SPOHP needs the public’s help to sustain had these red arm bands with that bolt something. with blankets and sheets. It was spooky, and build upon its research, teaching, of the Klan group. He was defending the I called my contact. They gave me instruc- of lightning, and we’re marching around But he said “We want somebody in there and it’s in the middle of the summer, no and service missions: even small bus bombers in Aniston, Alabama. He tions. “You’re going to have some emer- Atlanta making sure Black people get off where they’re violating the law.” We’re air conditioning, full of people. They donations can make a big difference in was a real nutty guy. He had his paper gency in your family to get you out of the sidewalks so White people wouldn’t show up when there’s some violence SPOHP’s ability to gather, preserve, and suitcase he bought at the dime store, tied not there to do anything except find town.” Saturday morning the FBI was on be bothered. Pretty ugly, and, now and going on, because they like it. they had promote history for future generations . D with a rope. It’s full of leaflets; he was violations of law, and not interfere with the phone, “You got to get downtown right then, there’d be a confrontation, and passing out leaflets everywhere. He was their right to get up and say they hate away so we can identify these people.” police would be out there. constantly recruiting people for the cause niggers, or whatever they want to say. My wife was the only one who knew Our leader was a guy from Brooklyn, – White people of course. M: What time is this? what I was doing. A good old Baptist, but Homer Lummis, who aspired to be J.B. bombed a couple of places in S: 1960. Eisenhower was president. In she understood, and scared to death. So the American Fuhrer, and the guy that Jacksonville, but he wasn’t very good as those days, You didn’t work for the FBI; I went downtown. Here comes Mercer I met was from Savannah. He was a bomber. He had gasoline with a wick, you worked for J. Edgar Hoover. Johns, he’s like vice president of our club. into Nietzsche. We roomed together. the wick would go out, and it wouldn’t He started taking me to meetings. On blow up. If it blew up it just made a big Thursday night we’d meet in this little “Hey brother Sears!” He had a big four- Saturdays, we’d go out. boom, and didn’t really do any harm. house, out in Arlington. The Grand Drag- door sedan, and I got in the front. The back on, president of the state, Jason Kersey, was loaded with baseball bats, and anything Servicemen were just coming back after He was self-educated. Somehow he came up from Samsula, that’s a little town he could get. He’d been down to Sears, and World War II, and we were preaching passed the board in Georgia. JB was near Daytona; he’s a cattle rancher in a bought out the store. The riot was already the problems coming with Black people. hired by that guy who killed Martin big white Cadillac with confederate flags going on in Hemming Park, and he passed The local newspapers of course weren’t Luther King. They called me one day and a white ten-gallon hat. these out to White people to hit people with, too friendly to the Columbians. That was many years after this was all over. A bats, and ax handles, and so on. He had a little heavy even for Georgia. Eddie judge in Alabama went to the door, and “We have got to put a stop to them damn ammunition, everything, in the back seat. Iverson was his name. We would go in a messenger handed them an envelope niggers. They’re lining up every Saturday this inner circle of the Colombians, a exploding, and injured the judge. The FBI morning.” He thought they were coming The police finally arrived. I had sent my re- page 18, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 19 photo on the website, of Gigi Simmons But they are also about history, poli- candidate records with the story of my own Explaining city candidates’ ‘criminal’ histories alone, who is running against Goston tics, and power. This is where advocacy criminal past, of the day I watched a dozen and Ty Loudd in the D1. This came off journalism--research and writing which black men go to prison for felony probation as a hit piece against Ms. Simmons, or clearly states an agenda and ideological violations in front of me. not job of corporate media against black candidates in general. The purpose – takes up the slack from corpo- title of the piece was negative. Coupled rate media. It’s the kind of stuff we some- I didn’t go because I was white and we by James Thompson reporter, and the Sun Editor-in-Chief Doug Ray is socially had a racist judge, thankfully now de- engaged and accessible. But I’m not surprised at the racial with Ms. Simmon’s originally solo title times see in another part of the Sun, the So many in our community cringed at the reporting of criminal photo, it created an emotional context Opinions section. It’s also, obviously, the parted. The irony is, but for my being histories and arrests of Gainesville City Commission candidates and gender tone deaf reporting, imaging, and editing that went white, I probably wouldn’t be writing into the piece (“City Candidates’ Records Spotty,” Gainesville assuredly unintended by the authors or life’s blood of the Gainesville Iguana and by the Gainesville Sun. But we cannot expect corporate media the newspaper. the Fine Print . this article about black candidate records. to do the job of progressive advocacy journalism. That is what Sun, Feb. 10, 2018). I could reflect on this irony, and celebrate publications like this one, and voices like ours, are for. The Sun has historically reported on candidate records, so the Or did it? Even had Caplan and the editors A piece in this mode could point out that the stories of these candidates, including done all this right, we are still left with a crimes of poverty, which black Americans Andrew Caplan is a capable and hardworking political beat article was not an explicit attack on a field of three black women the single mothers running for office who and one black man. The piece does, however constitute a good corporate newspaper whose job is to make disproportionately experience, dominate faced different obstacles than my white example of where even competent corporate media fails, and money for shareholders selling advertising. the list. Without referring to individual single mother – but who share the strug- left-progressive advocacy journalism thrives--telling histories, The “candidate criminal history” is a sta- candidates, we could discuss how every- gles and solidarity of class and gender giving context, and lifting the veil of class, gender, and race re- ple combination of shock piece and public thing from check kiting (writing checks and motherhood. lations to speak truth to power. Let us discuss the limits of what before you have the money, to buy food service announcement, a kind of political Finally, I could ask the candidates to re- Mr. Caplan can do, and see how we can move beyond them. beat boilerplate for every election cycle. or get your breadwinner out of jail, or pay a loan shark), to driving with suspended flect on what it feels like, in the gut, to The subject was a powderkeg to being with, especially Mr. Caplan and the Sun missed some cues, know every time you run for office you but they didn’t do anything unexpected or licenses (because you can’t pay for insur- considering it was the first major piece of reporting on the ance and got busted for that), and even will be judged more severely than your District One race. out of character. It’s a for-profit enterprise. white peers. Because every one of those These people write every day, for a living. violence (when it is perpetrated by a vic- A white male journalist was given or chose an assignment to de- tim of abuse who sees no way out) – do candidates, and each of us, knows that the Boilerplate is production. And truth be told bar of character is higher and the stain of tail the criminal histories of four black candidates, three of them criminal histories are newsworthy. not speak alone to individual character. black women, all but one. The fifth and arrest-free candidate is In fact they form the warp and weft of the past more deep for the oppressed than (by no fault of his own) a white man. Care should have been From ELECTIONS, p. 1 America’s history of racial, gender, and for the privileged. taken to remind newly engaged citizens that the Sun regularly in the City with work in the Department of class inequality. I can write and ask all these things, but runs pieces on candidate criminal records. Parks and Recreation and as a Technician A progressive would point out that District Mr. Caplan cannot. Not for the Sun, and A triptych (like the one currently on the Sun’s website) of those with Planning and Development. She is One in particular (with two black women not if he wants to continue as a beat re- with criminal records might have been used to convey that a small business owner of Simmons Tax and one black male candidate) includes a porter, as I hope he will. Services. She is also a fourth generation multiple people were reported on, instead of the original lead greater portion of our poverty, a larger share Advocacy journalism does sometimes resident of the Porters Community. of the long bus rides, and a majority of the involve money and profit, but at its core incarcerated breadwinners that make a life Goston is known for making dubious it comes from we the people, volunteers without a record unlikely for anyone hon- claims and unfulfilled promises, and his and movement activists. If people with estly “representing” that district. most recent idea of large illuminated criminal pasts deserve to be in office, it is signs promoting Eastside businesses was A more radical journalism could also go our job to help explain why. not only illegal but ludicrous. Time for further with the kind of personal histories of him to go. Get out the Eastside vote, and both the author and the subjects that news- In 2010, James Thompson pled Guilty/ between the two women we say VOTE paper journalism forbids. For example, this No Contest to a charge of felony drug GIGI SIMMONS. D white male writer could open a piece on possession . He is a political activist . D

pharmacists and counselors. Located at 23320 N. State Rd 235 Brooker, Florida 32622 352-485-1133 Iguana Directory American Civil Liberties Union Currently no Call 352-378-5655 or email [email protected] with updates and additions local chapter. For info on forming a new chapter, or ACLU info, contact Jax office 904-353-7600 Readers: If there is inaccurate information here, Alachua County Labor Coalition meets or [email protected] please let us know . If you are connected to an monthly and organizes to support local labor Amnesty International UF campus chapter of organization listed here, please check and update and advance the national campaigns for worldwide human rights movement; www.facebook. so others can be accurately informed . Medicare for All and a living wage. Contact: com/ufamnesty or [email protected]. Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc. Protecting http://laborcoalition.org/, info@laborcoalition. Avian Research and Conservation Institute North Central Florida’s natural, scenic, org, 352-375-2832, PO Box 12051, 901 NW 8th (ARCI) is a non-profit research organization historic & recreational resources for over 25 Ave., Suite A1, Gainesville, 32604 working to stimulate conservation action to save years. ACT is the 2013 national Land Trust Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs threatened species of birds in the southeastern GALLERY TOUR BEGINS AT 7 PM Excellence award recipient. 352-373-1078. (ACORN) Clinic is a not-for- profit (501C3) U.S., www.arcinst.org AlachuaConservationTrust.org organization that provides low-cost, high-quality Central Florida Democratic Socialists of America www.artwalkgainesville.com Alachua County Green Party Part of a medical and dental care, and social services for A local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America worldwide movement built out of four interrelated people with and without health insurance. The focusing on local social and political activism issues social pillars that support its politics: the peace, clinic primarily serves residents of Alachua, to better our community. General meetings are on civil rights, environmental and labor movements. Bradford and Union Counties. The Clinic fulfills the 4th Monday of every month at the Downtown alachuagreens.weebly.com, alachuagreens@ its mission with the help of a broad-based core of Library in Gainesville in Meeting Room A. gmail.com, 352-871-1995 volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, hygienists, Continued on next page page 20, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 21 Continued from preceding page Final Friends helps families learn how to accom- Graduate Assistants United Union represents dedicated to amending the US Constitution to Protect Gainesville Citizens Group whose Sunday Assembly, a secular congregation plish legal home funeral care as an alternative to UF grad assistants by fighting for improved establish that money is not speech, and that only mission is to provide Gainesville residents with which celebrates life, meets the third Sunday of [email protected], www.fb.com/centralfldsa employing a commercial funeral home. We are an working conditions, community involvement human beings have constitutional rights. Contact accurate and comprehensible information about each month at 11 am at 530 W. University Ave. Citizens Climate Lobby (Gainesville Chapter) independent group of volunteers who provide free and academic freedom. 352-575-0366, officers@ Alachua County Green Party for info. the Cabot/Koppers Superfund site. 352-354- (Santa Fe College campus building in downtown provides education/activist opportunities to education, guidance and support to anyone who ufgau.org, www.ufgau.org 2432, www.protectgainesville.org Gainesville). There is a talk, music, sing-alongs, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) bring about a stable climate. Meetings are on the prefers to care for their own deceased loved ones discussion, refreshments and felllowship. See Grow Radio Non-profit provides opportunities for Support, education and advocacy for families Putnam County Florida Democratic Party, Wednesday after the first Saturday of each month at prior to burial or cremation. www.finalfriends.org, http://www.putnamcountyfloridademocrats.com, http://SAGainesville.weebly.com/ 12:30, at Vine Bread & Pasta place at 627 N. Main community members to create and manage engag- and loved ones of persons with mental illness/ [email protected], 352-374-4478 check website or call for upcoming meetings, 107 UF College Democrats (UFCD) meets St. 352-672-4327, www.citizensclimatelobby.org, ing, educational, locally-generated programming to brain disorders. 374-5600. ext. 8322; www. The Fine Print S. Sixth St., Palatka - For information on volunteer Tuesdays at 6:30 in Little Hall 121. 407-580- [email protected] Independent, critically thinking promote fine, musical/visual arts and humanities for namigainesville.org outlet for political, social and arts coverage enrichment of the community. www.growradio.org. activities call Fran Rossano at 352-475-3012 4543, Facebook.com/UFcollegedems National Committee to Preserve Social Security Civic Media Center Alternative reading room through local, in-depth reporting for Gainesville’s PO Box 13891, Gainesville, 32604, 352-219-0145 Quaker Meetinghouse Quakers have a 350- and Medicare Local advocates work to promote/ UF Pride Student Union Group of gay, lesbian, and library of the non-corporate press, and a students. www.thefineprintuf.org (v), 352-872-5085 (studio hotline) year tradition of working peacefully for social preserve these threatened programs for senior bi and straight students & non-students, faculty resource and space for organizing. 352-373- justice. Silent, unprogrammed worship Sundays 0010, www.civicmediacenter.org, 433 S Main Florida School of Traditional Midwifery A Home Van A mobile soup kitchen going to citizens. We have literature, speakers, T-shirts. and staff. www.grove.ufl.edu/~pride clearinghouse for information, activities and at 11, followed by potluck. Visitors welcome. 702 St.,Gainesville, 32601 homeless areas twice a week with food and other Email: [email protected]. See UF Radical Student Alliance A progressive educational programs. 352-338-0766 www. NW 38th St. Facebook/GainesvilleQuakers for necessities, delivering about 400 meals per week; national Web site to join: http://www.ncpssm.org/ grassroots organization that strives to combat The Coalition for Racial Justice gnv4all@ midwiferyschool.org events or request Meetinghouse space at www. gmail.com operated by Citizens for Social Justice. barupa@ National Lawyers Guild Lawyers, law students, le- GainesvilleQuakers.org social justice issues on campus; core values Florida Defenders of the Environment works atlantic.net or 352-372-4825 gal workers and jailhouse lawyers using the law to ad- Repurpose Project, a nonprofit junk shop and are transparency, democratic process, value of The Coalition of Hispanics Integrating to protect freshwater resources, conserve public each member’s input, and ability of any mem- Humanist Society of Gainesville meets at 7 pm on vance social justice, support progressive social move- community center, diverts useful resources froj the Spanish Speakers through Advocacy and lands, and provide quality environmental educa- ber to assume a leadership role. Meetings at the 3rd Wednesday of most months at Unitarian Uni- ments. [email protected] or www.nlg.org landfill, redirects these items to the public for art Service (CHISPAS) Student-run group at UF. tion since 1969, 352-475-1119, Fladefenders.org 6:30 pm Tuesdays on campus, ufradstudental- versalist Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th St to discuss and and educaton, inspires creativity, and helps us all [email protected] National Women’s Liberation is a feminist [email protected]. Gainesville Area AIDS Project provides toiletries, promote secular, humanist, atheist & agnostic social rethink what we throw away. Lets all help protect Code Pink: Women for Peace Women-led group for women who want to fight back against household cleaners, hot meals, frozen food at no cost influences-www.gainesvillehumanists.org or face- t he planet and buy used. Open to the public. Tues- United Faculty of Florida, UF chapter Run grassroots peace and social justice movement male supremacy and win more freedom for to people living with HIV/AIDS. www.gaaponline. book.com/humanistsocietyofgainesville; gainesville- Sat: 10am--6pm. www.repurposeproject.org by and for faculty, the University of Florica utilizing creative protest, non-violent direct action women. Inequalities between women and men are org, [email protected], 352-373-4227, Open [email protected]. Chapter of United Faculty of Florida (UFF-UF) and community involvement. CodePink4Peace. political problems requiring a collective solution. River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding Tuesdays 10-1 and last Friday of month 5-7. represents over 1600 faculty and professionals org, [email protected] Humanists on Campus UF organization provides Founded 1968. Join us: www.womensliberation. provides innovative ways to resolve conflict and Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to Death org, P.O. Box 14017, Gainesville, 32604, 347- provides services like mediation, communication at UF. UFF’s origins lie in efforts by faculty to The Community Weatherization Coalition is a community for freethinking, secular humanists. Penalty works to abolish the death penalty. Join 560-4695, [email protected] skill building and restorative justice. www. protect academic freedom, defend civil liberties, a grassroots community coalition whose mission Goals include promoting values of humanism, vigils when Florida has an execution. Meets 6pm centerforpeacebuilding.org. 2603 NW 13th St. and end racial discrimination at UF. www.UFF- is to improve home weatherization and energy discussing issues humanists face internationally. NCF AWIS is an advocacy organization champion- first Tuesday every month at Mennonite Meeting #333, 352-234-6595 UF.org, 352-519-4130. efficiency for low-income households through We strive to participate in community ing the interest of women in science, technology, House, 1236 NW 18th Ave, 352-378-1690, www. education, volunteer work projects and community- service and bring a fun, dynamic group to engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across all Rural Women’s Health Project is a local health United Nations Association, Gainesville fadp.org. building. The CWC welcomes new volunteers to the university! Preferred contact info: email disciplines and employment sectors. Meetings are education oreganization developing materials Florida Chapter Purpose is to heighten citizen get involved in a variety of ways, from performing Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant [email protected], alternative: usually the first Monday of the month (except holi- promoting health justice for migrant and rural awareness and knowledge of global problems audits, to PR/Graphics and more. Contact: 352- Justice (IAIJ) organizes faith communities to work [email protected], phone- 561-374-3537 days) from 5:30 -7:30 pm Millhopper Branch, Ala- women. Robin or Fran 352-372-1095 and the UN efforts to deal with those issues. chua County Public Library. All meetings open to www.afn.org/~una-usa/. 450-4965 or [email protected] together for immigrant justice. Meets 2nd Mondays Indivisible Gainesville* is one of 5800 local Samuel Proctor Oral History Program focuses public. [email protected] or www.ncfawis.org on story-telling, social justice research, social Conservation Burial, Inc. promotes natural at 6 pm at the Mennonite Meeting House, 1236 chapters of the national Indivisible movement, United Way Information and Referral movement studies, oral history workshops. burial practices in cemeteries that conserve land NW 18th Ave. [email protected], www. working to peacefully and systematically resist Occupy Gainesville is about engaging local Human-staffed computer database for resources http://oral.history.ufl.edu and reunite people with the environment. 352- gainesvilleiaij.blogspot.com, 352-377-6577 the Trump agenda. We are a group of local people in grassroots, participatory democracy, and organizations in Alachua County. 352-332- 372-1095, [email protected] Gainesville Loves Mountains partners with volunteers fighting against agendas of division, diversity and dialogue; we stand in solidarity Say Yes to Second Chances Florida is a coalition 4636 or simply 211 inequality, financial influence in government, with the Occupy Wall Street Movement and the of nonpartisan civic and faith organizations who Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. Non- Appalachian allies to end mountaintop removal Veterans for Peace Anti-war organization and policies that neglect to benefit all American rest of the people peacefully occupying public are working for Florida’s Voting Restoration profit land trust working to protect Florida’s rural coal mining and build a prosperous economy/ that raises awareness of the detriments of citizens equally. indivisiblegnv.org. space across this county and the the world. Amendment to allow people who’ve paid their landscapes, wildlife corridors and natural areas. sustainable future. We pursue policies to strengthen militarism and war as well as seeking peaceful our local economy through energy efficiency, clean www.occupygainesville.org and https://www. debt to society to earn back their right to vote. 352-466-1178, Conserveflorida.org Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and effective alternatives. Meets first Wednesday energy. [email protected], facebook.com/occupygainesville https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy.com/ Gainesville General Membership Branch of every month at 7 pm. 352-375-2563, http:// Democratic Party of Alachua County Sierra Club 352-610-1090, http://gainesvillelovesmountains. Union for all workers, regardless of industry, Our Santa Fe River and Ichetucknee Alliance meets the first Thursday of every vfpgainesville.org/ Meetings held the second Wednesday each wordpress.com/ month at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist month at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the trade, job, or employment status. Meets 1st are two of a number of grassroots environmentalist WGOT-LP 100.1 FM Community low-power Gainesville NOW www.gainesvillenow.org. Sunday of the month at 6 pm at CMC. Contact: groups campaigning to protect and restore the rivers Fellowship of Gainesville-4225 NW 34th St. Gainesville Police Headquarters on NW 6th St. 352-528-3751, www.ssjsierra.org radio station operating as part of the CMC. & 8th Ave. Office is at 901 NW 8th Ave., 352- [email protected] NOW meeting info [email protected] and springs. See: http://www.oursantaferiver.org/ [email protected], www.wgot.org 373-1730, alachuadems.org contact Lisa at 352-450-1912 and http://www.ichetuckneealliance.org/ Sister City Program of Gainesville links League of Women Voters of Alachua County Gainesville with sister cities in Russia, Israel Women’s March Gainesville meets on the sec- Gainesville Peer Respite A non-profit, non- PFLAG (Parents and Families of Lesbians Dream Defenders The Gainesville chapter seeks Nonpartisan grassroots political group of women and Palestine, Iraq, and Haiti. Meetings are ond Monday of each month: for location and clinical mental health community providing and Gays) meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month to create positive change by organizing creative- and men which has fought since 1920 to improve the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. agenda information, please see are on the second at the Fellowship Hall of the United Church of ly skilled young leaders who strategically con- sanctuary and support to those experiencing our systems of government and impact public at the Mennonite Meeting House, 1236 NW Monday of each month, see www.hearourvoice- Gainesville (1624 NW 5th Ave.) at 7 pm with a front institutions of oppression through building emotional distress. Peer Support Warmline is policies (fairness in districting, voting and 18th Ave. (across from Gainesville HS). http:// gnv.org; m.facebook.com/wmflgnv/;www.face- programmed portion and informal meeting with collective power, raising the consciousness of all available 6pm-6am, and we offer wellness ac- elections, e.g.) through citizen education and www.gnvsistercities.org book.com/groups/wmflgnv/; Instagram.com/wo- people, and operating with the genuine desire for tivities, support groups and brief overnight re- advocacy. http://www.lwvalachua.org/ info@ opportunity to talk and peruse their resource Stand By Our Plan informs the public on crit- mensmarchgnv/; Twitter.com/WMFL_Gnv/ and/ “justice and equality for all.” We are building spite stays. Call the Warmline at 352-559-4559 lwv-alachua.org library. pflaggainesville.org. Confidential Helpline ical differences between the Comprehensive or email [email protected]. Together the world we wish to see. www.facebook.com/ for support or online at gainesvillerespite.org 352-340-3770 or email [email protected] we can do anything... Join Us! We Need You. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs Plan and Plum Creek’s proposal, which we do UFDreamDefenders/ Let’s build this peaceful movement together! Gainesville Socialists is a bi-weekly reading and volunteers to join its advocates who protect Planned Parenthood Clinic Full-service health not support. Alachua County’s Comprehensive Edible Plant Project Local 100% volunteer- discussion group. Meetings are open to all who elders’ rights in nursing homes, assisted living center for reproductive and sexual health care Plan is the best blueprint for future growth in World Socialist Party of the United States run collective to create a revolution through consider themselves socialists, are interested in facilities, family care homes. Training and needs. Offering pregnancy testing and options the county’s unincorporated areas; it protects (WSP-US) welcomes anyone wanting to edible and food-producing plants. http:// socialism, or are otherwise curious. Meetings are certification provided. 888-831-0404 or http:// counseling for $10 from 10am-noon and 2-5pm. valuable wetlands,. standbyourplan@gmail. know more about Marxian socialism and our edibleplantproject.org/contact-us held at the CMC every other Tuesday at 8pm, ombudsman.myflorida.com Located at 914 NW 13th St. 352-377-0881 com; http://standbyourplan.org/ efforts to transform the dog-eat-dog–Devil Families Against Mandatory Minimums Work [email protected] Pride Community Center of North Central Student/Farmworker Alliance A network of take the hindmost world–created by capital- MindFreedom North Florida Human rights to reform Florida’s sentencing laws and restore Gainesville Zen Center and Hostel A Zen Florida youth organizing with farmworkers to eliminate ism into a democratically arranged world so- group for psychiatric survivors and mental health Resources for the gay/lesbian Buddhist community offering rooms to rent on ciety of equality at [email protected]. Upon fairness to Florida’s criminal justice system. PO consumers. 352-328-2511 community, open M-F, 3-7, Sat. noon-4. Located sweatshop conditions and modern-day slavery Box 142933, Gainesville, FL 32614, gnewburn@ a daily basis. 404 SE 2nd St., 352-336-3613, at 3131 NW 13th St., Suite 62. 352-377-8915, in the fields. On Facebook, search “Gainesville request the Party will provide membership famm.org. 352-682-2542 [email protected] Move to Amend, Gainesville is an organization www.GainesvillePride.org Student/Farmworker Alliance” applications,htttp://wspus.org D page 22, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org March 2018, Iguana page 23 CMC SpringBoard fundraiser at new location Will feature speakers Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson and Lars Andersen on rivers and springs Lars Andersen is the owner of Adventure up an array of the best progressive folks Friday, April 13, 6:30-9pm Outpost in High Springs and a longtime in Alachua County. Working Food, 219 NW 10th Ave. environmental activist, tour guide and advocate for health and preservation If you cannot make it but still wish to Save the date: on Friday April 13, the of our rivers and springs. He has been donate please do, either from Paypal (at Civic Media Center will be holding speaking about and educating about our www.civicmediacenter.org) or by mail the 2018 version of its SpringBoard rivers and springs for decades. to 433 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL fundraiser. This event is timed to give the 32601. Advance tickets can be purchased Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson has lived in CMC a boost as the summer approaches, the same way. D with its higher utility costs and diminished Florida since 1975 and is a dedicated population in town. volunteer working to protect the springs, rivers and other waters of Florida. This year the event will be held at a new Merrillee participates in numerous and exciting location, Working Food committees, advisory boards and at 219 NW 10th Ave. This large meeting consultant groups. She owns and operates hall (and large parking lot) is one of three Rum 138 with her husband and she is new additions in the block of NW 10th an Organizing Representative for Sierra Ave., joined by the restaurant Afternoon Club, Florida. DRIVE THRU & CALL-INS and Cypress & Grove Brewing. The event There will, of course, be some silent will run from 6:30 to 9pm. auction items and raffle items as well. A 407 NW 13th St. The evening will feature great tapas and donation of $25-$50 is requested as the 9am-10pm CMC moves into the summer and then finger food from various restaurants Breakfast til 11, 11:30 weekends and individuals, time for socializing, the fall, which in October will see its 25th anniversary celebration. and an informal and entertaining panel 5011 NW 34th St. discussion on issues regarding issues Come meet the CMC Coordinators, 11am-10pm around rivers and springs featuring Lars volunteers, Board members and all the Andersen and Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson. many supporters of the CMC, who make The Gainesville Iguana Gainesville's progressive newsletter and events calendar Subscribe! Individuals: $15 a year (or more if you can) Low/No income: Established what you can 1986 Groups: $20 a year Gainesville Iguana, P.O. Box 14712, Gainesville, FL 32604

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page 24, Iguana, March 2018 Gainesville, Florida