The Gainesville Iguana A progressive newsletter and events calendar November/December, 2017 Vol. 31, Issue 11/12
SpencerBy Joe Courter Takeaway Video of the event inside can be seen at: Background: On Oct. 19, self-styled https://www.youtube.com/ “Alt-right” figurehead Richard Spencer watch?v=u2XvwcNSDmw came to Gainesville to speak at the Phil- lips Center on the UF campus. That reactionary white people are al- ways simmering below the surface in our His organization (National Policy In- society, and will periodically come into stitute) was charged about $11,000 for view. It is a phenomena of hard times, use of the building, Governor Rick Scott insecurity, and some sort of catalyst called it a State of Emergency, and tax- which can be an event or a sort of ce- payers paid about $500,000 for security lebrity leader (Fr Coughlin in the 30's, outside the building. McCarthy in the 50's, George Wallace in Spencer had two or three dozen supporters the 70's, Jerry Falwell in the 80's, the on- sitting up front in their white shirts and set of Talk Radio with Limbaugh et al, in khakis. About 250 people who got tickets the 90's, then Fox News, and now Trump outside from NPI sat and stood in the rear providing the heat to the pot). of the hall with empty rows between them. That social media of today has put us A number of people of color and people into a new world that has changed the with disabilities were excluded. A vast communication dynamics for everyone. It majority of the audience were anti has given the outrageous pronouncements racists, who were raucous but peaceful, See SPENCER, p. 2 This sign, held in front of the Phillips Center while Spencer spoke at UF, captures the spirit of the day . It was one of many creative signs such as Free speech over censorship those honoring relatives who fought the Censorship used against our enemies will soon be used against us Fascists in WWII and the Spanish Civil War and others with calls for unity and Originally published by Jacobin on April 1; read more at www .jacobinmag .com the power of love . Photo by Joe Courter . By Christian Parenti and James Davis correct to challenge reactionary speakers. You have to give the political right credit. But they should never ask for censorship. In recent months, they have, Judo-style, This might seem like a minor or technical INSIDE ... baited the campus left into bumptious point; it is not. From the Publisher...... 3 overreactions that have seen student ac- Censorship used against our enemies will Editors’ Picks...... 5 soon be used against us. The Left will tivists at Middlebury, UC Berkeley, and Event Calendar...... 12–13 a few other places calling on university never win the battle of ideas by trying to Civic Media Center . . . . . 16-17 administrations to shut down — that is, suppress opposing arguments. The only censor — vile speakers like Milo Yian- way to win is by a concerted, long-term Oral History ...... 18-19 effort to out-argue, out-educate, and out- Directory...... 21-23 nopoulos and Charles Murray. organize the Right. Students and faculty are absolutely See PARENTI, p. 10 From SPENCER, p.1 That UF and all concerned was very lucky there was not a sizable From the publisher . . of a Richard Spencer; blatant racism and the call for a separate turnout of Spencer's followers. We thousands who showed up with Subscribe! white ethnic state; a platform and the ability of followers to our signs and our fight back spirit were celebrating a forfeit win, independently spread it. It has also allowed resistance to such the other team did not show up. That said, the potential violence of The Gainesville Iguana ideas, giving the tools to build a movement to counter such these people did manifest with the three followers of Spencer who Winding down 2017 is Gainesville's progressive reactionary and harmful advocacy. There used to be a filter of antagonized and then shot at folks waiting at a bus stop. Again, we Thinking back a year I am reminded how shocked and apprehensive (to put it newsletter and events calendar the mass media to both suppress such ideas, and to not give got lucky. And they are in jail. mildly) we were with the harsh reality of the election outcome. When I got out a voice to the opposition. sweatshirt the other day I saw it had a safety pin on it, something that was suggested Individuals: $15 That regardless, it was a real win for the community that would (or more if you can) That this country's First Amendment was pushed to its very lim- not have happened if UF had said no to Spencer and gone to people do to make immigrants or other threatened or Low/No income: What you can its with this event, and that everyone who cared to think deeply, court over it. So much organizing, so many personal connec- at risk people know that we were a friendly person Groups: $20 or who had to make tough decisions about it, were challenged by tions made. So many people got to their first protest, or maybe to trust. We had groups mobilizing, lots of meetings. the circumstances. After the violence in Charlottesville, UF made their 15th or 50th, and experienced the power of taking a stand Thankfully some of those have persisted, Indivisible, Gainesville Iguana a prudent decision about public safety concerns and said no. Then against forces working against human rights and progressive Women's March and off shoots like Second Chance P .O . Box 14712 when faced with a First Amendment lawsuit, UF decided they had values. Such a great array of signs, of young and old, people from voting rights. We are, I believe, more "woke," but the Gainesville, FL 32604 to let National Policy Institute, a small well-funded group with across the spectrum of ethnicity, gender and political orientation, level of resistance seems to have diminished, as the Comments, suggestions, contributions no ties to our community, rent the Phillips Center. Was that really our welcoming community of Gainesville. forewarned normalization has occurred. (written or financial) are welcome. To necessary? If Spencer shows up next month and wants to rent it But we are changed. The current backlash against men That these on-the-make shills, hired by wealthy right list your event or group, contact us at: again does UF have to capitulate then, too? who use their power to take advantage of women can wing backers to spew their poison are real assholes, can be (352) 378-5655 That the State, when it wants to, can marshal tons of Law En- summed up best by their own juvenile conduct, trolling peo- trace back to the outrage over Trump’s bragging about forcement personal in a mass show of force in a very short time. ple in our downtown with video cameras, their name calling grabbing women. Hundred of thousands of pussy hats Joe Courter GainesvilleIguana@cox .net www .gainesvilleiguana .org That if you show up in a t-shirt with swastikas all over it and antics on stage, and their legacy of speeches and comment converged on DC. That Hollywood has woke and spoke walk into and through a crowd of anti-racists and anti-fascists, on the web for all to see. out against Weinstein and his exploitative behavior has had a mirrored grass roots facebook .com/gainesvilleiguana awareness campaign with the “#me too” social media phenomena, with everyday you just may not be well received. I mean ... really ... But the very best indicator might be the chance conversation I The Iguana has been published women revealing how toxic and pervasive male supremacy is. In a documentary film monthly or bimonthly by volunteers That resistance to Spencer’s visit also manifested in the UF had with the owner of the out-of-town place where Spencer and about her, singer songwriter Ferron said “Women live lives of oppression, men live for 30 years . Circulation for this Greek community. Banners saying “Love Not Hate #Togeth- his people stayed, and how they totally left the place a mess, lives of illusion.” Those ten words say so much. erUF” hung from a number of Fraternity and Sorority houses, cigarette butts, beer cans all over the yard and bushes. issue is 4,500 . So here we are winding down 2017. Yes, there are grassroots actions happening here and an airplane flying a banner saying “Love Conquers Hate: They are willing to crap in their own nest, and in this case, on the and elsewhere, but on a national level things are not very pretty. That the Republicans Publisher: Love Will Prevail” circled over the Phillips Center much of the hard fought rights and reputations of minorities, women and im- are tied in knots is not a surprise, a chaotic election with a reality show celebrity Joe Courter day. That plane was contracted by a UF Sorority. migrants. Screw them, and I hope Gainesville can inspire others overrunning their establishment people and the media coming right along for the to stand up to these rather toxic, racist clowns. D Editors Emeritus: That the command leadership of Alachua County Sheriffs sake of ratings leaves them dazed and confused. Some are bailing out and calling set a very good tone of minimal interference in the event Jenny Brown out the unhinged occupant in the White House, but too little too late. The Democrats other than the huge crowd control and enforcing the restric- Mark Piotrowski tried a different electoral strategy, not the chaos of the R's but a very controlled stage tions of carried in items. When the above mentioned swastika managed coronation for Hillary Clinton, but that plan was interrupted by the grassroots Editorial Board: wearing dude, after receiving his, I guess, desired welcome, was campaign of Bernie Sanders, which was pure democracy in action – not part of the Pierce Butler being hustled out of the area by a small number of law enforce- plan the Democratic party leadership had in mind. That split has not healed at all, and Joe Courter ment officers, a massive, angry sounding, chanting throng was the intransigence of the Clinton/DNC faction to try and put all the blame on Russian Beth Grobman all around them as they went down to 34th St, about 200 yards hacking (and Bernie!) is dreadful for the chances of a comeback election in 2018. Jessica Newman away. There was no interference from other LEOs. That could have played out real different. Cyber meddling, and meddling in general in foreign elections is going to be a fact Production work and assistance: That no bottled water or bathrooms were available was a bit of life from here forward, and it is something the US has done as well, repeatedly. Joye Barnes mean spirited, but we all hung in there. Thankfully it was a Putin, then in the KGB, had a front row seat as the United States, in 1996, helped Bob McPeek bit cloudy and cool. Yeltsin get elected in Russia. Much is made of the Podesta emails that were leaked. Jenn Powell They were not "fake news," they were inconvenient truths. If you want to worry about Jeremiah Tattersall That the powers that be, after telling everyone to not go near election meddling, worry more about Citizens United and the massive corporate dollars the event, to not give them attention, would turn around and it unleashed, and voter suppression all around the country. Distribution: compliment those who went out and stood up for what's right. Joe Courter One last note on politics. As I write this Trump is on his way to Asia for a 12-day trip: even though you have a stage, a microphone, a state of Kate Ellison That Japan, Korea, China, Viet Nam, the Phillipines. What could possibly go wrong? This the art sound system, and a big hall, if you are a racist, eth- Bill Gilbert will be printed and distributed before he gets back. Sorry if we missed the big story ... nic separatist, those who are there in the hall do not give up Sam Madeira their free speech to heckle and mock you. This is where the New topic: a personal note on the power of music. Music is a powerful thing in my Anita Sundaram First Amendment gets close to the shouting "fire" in a crowded life, right from the NYC FM radio of my youth with Phil Ochs, Buffy Sainte Marie, theater exception. I have sat through many horrible right wing Dylan, the Temptations, Richie Havens. The previous issue was published listening Contact us if you can help with speakers – Ollie North, David Horowitz, Ann Coulter and others to a lot of Tom Petty. Last weekend was Fest here in GNV, and beyond the words distribution in outlying areas . – and as disagreeable as they were, it is a hard question whether and music, the sheer energy of a unified crowd singing along with heartfelt songs – Authors and photographers have you'd have wanted to see them shouted down. Anymore than we songs of empowerment, of righteous anger, and the pure existential celebration of sole credit, responsibility for, and would want Chomsky, Jeremy Scahill, or Naomi Klein shouted being alive in that moment with others means so much. I am so glad to be in a city rights to their work . down. You can leaflet the crowd, you can get on the mic and ask where such life is celebrated in such a big way. I personally thank all my musician questions. But these guys are Nazi sympathizing smart-ass hus- friends whose art means so much to me. And thanks to Tony and the women and Cover drawing of iguana by Daryl tlers with the credibility and tactics of Westboro Baptist Church. men of No Idea who gather together hundreds of volunteers, book all the musicians Harrison . What they advocate prompts and promotes violence. I think and venues, and allow thousands of people from all over to come to our town for an Printed on recycled paper . what they got was what they deserved. annual gathering. You all rock! D page 2, Iguana, november/december 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org November/December 2017, Iguana page 3 Alachua County at turning point: Repair bureaucracy Voting Rights Restoration Amendment: By Pierce Butler In the past, county government functioned Rushing the process of picking a new Way back in early August, uncountable well and responsively with one Deputy County Manager, arguably, gave us the Homestretch for making the 2018 ballot Trump scandals ago, the Alachua County Manager and one (or zero) Assistant Man- Niblock fiasco in the first place. by Jack Kulas General Information: Commission voted 4-1 to fire then-County agers, and each department having hands- In 2018, voters will select Commission- on directors making the daily decisions. BALLOT TITLE: Voting Restoration Amendment ¡¡ Approximately 1.7 million Florida citizens have lost the Manager Lee Niblock. One of the final ers for the seats now held by Ken Cornell right to vote due to a felony conviction. straws provoking that decision was a budget At present, we have no Director of Public and Lee Pinkoson, so the final choice will BALLOT SUMMARY: This amendment restores the voting proposal for $50,000 for bonuses to help re- ¡ Works (neither as a person nor an office): be made by the new Board after the Nov. rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete ¡ Florida is one of only three states, including Kentucky and tain the six Assistant County Managers that all terms of their sentence including parole or probation. The Iowa, which imposes a lifetime ban on the right to vote, nearly all functions (other than separate 6 elections (an explicit factor in maintain- Dr. Niblock had hired, while rank-&-file charter offices such as Sheriff, Tax Collec- ing the interim managership for so long). amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or unless a felon who has completed all terms of sentence staff pay had stagnated for years. sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred including parole or probation, seeks restoration through a tor, Supervisor of Elections, etc) are run The search process will probably involve from voting unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their cumbersome and lengthy process. Another precipitating cause had occurred in by one or another of the Deputy/Assistant nationwide advertising through “head- July, when a Board of Commissioners morn- Managers brought in from out of the coun- voting rights on a case-by-case basis. ¡¡ A person who has been convicted of a felony must wait five hunter” firms and a wide array of can- ing meeting had acknowledged twenty-five ty by Lee Niblock. or seven years – depending on the severity of the felony – didates. But our Commissioners would December 31 is the deadline to submit signed and completed Vot- years of work on the part of training manager after completion of all terms of their sentence, before even Lieberman also inherited a legacy of do well to focus on those most likely to ing Restoration Amendment petitions to Supervisor of Elections Suzanne Clausier - and that evening consid- offices around the state to get items on the November 2018 ballot. applying for clemency to get voting rights restored. “run government like a business!” inef- repair the prolonged damage to staff mo- ered Niblock’s budget plan terminating her ficiency. For example, rather than sup- rale and retention since 2014, those who ¡¡ Florida grants only 8 percent of restoration requests com- The campaign to restore voting rights to nonviolent felons position (and that of a county horticulturalist, porting each other for the public benefit, already best understand the needs of this pared to 86 percent for Kentucky and 93 percent in Iowa. who have done their time and paid back their debt to society with neither named and the firings obscured departments must now pay each other for County, its workers, and its citizens: the has a goal of 1 million petitions. The latest report from that ¡¡ Current backlog of the clemency process is over 10 years, by bureaucratic jargon). services rendered: a plumbing problem “internal” leaders who have kept things campaign, at the beginning of November, is that it is three- so someone who today completes all terms of their sen- Equal Opportunity Manager Jacqueline at Tourist Development means remu- moving through Hurricane Irma, Plum fourths of the way home, with 750,000 signatures collected. tence for a nonviolent felony would be extraordinarily Chung spoke up eloquently against this neration for Facilities; troubleshooting a Creek, the Bush recession, and the other These final two months will be critical. Do you have time to lucky to be able to vote in 2032. and other abuses of authority, but few out- computer connection at Animal Services stresses of recent years. ¡ help the campaign right a wrong that is as old as 1868, when ¡ Restoration of voting rights gives nonviolent felons a sec- side the County workforce understood the necessitates a check to Information Tech- In the meantime, citizens must raise pub- felon disenfranchisement was first put into law in the Florida ond chance to become productive citizens. scope of the problem. nology; replacing a Solid Waste worker lic pressure to (re-)streamline county ¡ shifts money to Human Resources. Constitution? ¡ Restoration of voting rights saves taxpayers money be- Niblock had also mandated that county government by eliminating the new and Petitions and clipboards are available at the Alachua County cause it lowers the recidivism rate. employees not speak to any commissioner This process may provide some useful in- unnecessary layer of bureaucracy, uphold Labor Coalition office, 901 NW 8th St., Suite 1A, on Thurs- We are hopeful and optimistic that you’ll see it on the Novem- without an assistant county manager sit- formation, but its net effect is to invisibly the high standards which have preserved days, 11am to 1pm and Fridays from 4pm to 6pm. ber 2018 ballot listed as the “Voting Restoration Amendment.” ting in, a “loss of trust,” in Comm. Chair shrink the unchanged budget allotment us from Tampa- and Miami-esque run- for those departments which do actual away sprawl, and support the underpaid Email [email protected] for further information from Additional Information Ken Cornell’s words - and an indication of how Niblock had centralized power in services for the people and environment and overworked staff who do so much to the local Say Yes to Second Chances campaign. Link to petition and additional information: his office and those of the cronies he had of Alachua County. keep Alachua County so livable. D https://secondchancesfl.org/ The following information about the amendment can be brought in from his past jobs in Marion useful both when collecting signatures and when deciding Link to additional information: and Sarasota Counties. whether to support the initiative. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/restoring-voting-rights D Editors’ picks: News that didn’t fit Aside from his autocratic management, The New Yorker,
From PARENTI, p.18 of “criminal anarchy” for distributing a ruptive protest. and did eight months in jail. tract called “the Leftwing Manifesto.” But there is a more troubling side to In 1909, the Industrial Workers of the In 1931, the Supreme Court finally ex- this as well. Let’s face it, on some elite Author World began what would become a multi- tended speech rights to nonverbal symbols college campuses, the student activists year, nationwide campaign of nonviolent like flags in the case Stromberg v. Cali- are obsessed with symbolic gestures Larry fornia. Again, the hero was a leftist, the civil disobedience against local ordinanc- and the rigorous policing of language. es suppressing free speech. nineteen-year-old Ms. Yetta Stromberg of Schnell the Young Communist League. Her crime One recalls the Oberlin students who in Starting in Spokane, Washington, Wobbly had been to violate California’s “red flag 2015 denounced their cafeteria for “cul- at CMC, activists violated local censorship laws at law,” which prohibited the display of a red tural appropriation” when serving under- public rallies, filling the jails with hun- flag as “an emblem of opposition to the whelming versions of Banh Mi and Gen- Nov. 12 dreds of prisoners at a time until the local United States Government.” eral Tso’s chicken. press and even mainstream liberal civic by Joe Courter groups had to rally to the Wobblies’ cause. The extension of free speech to universi- The campus left’s hypersensitivity to ties was famously championed by the UC language has provided the Right with What does a former news report- All along, the Right and capital fought Berkeley Free Speech movement, which er do with his experiences cov- back, using the state to suppress speech. an opening. While many far-right ideas emerged to defend left-wing students who ering Gainesville for eight years A destination game store and parlor. The Espionage Act of 1917 and Sedition wanted to distribute radical literature and sound patently insane to the average per- at the Sun? 4401 NW 25th Pl., Suite G, Gainesville, FL 32605 (access from NW 43rd St) Act of 1918 were created for these pur- make radical speeches on campus. Win- son — for example, that the United Na- poses. In 1917, Socialist Party presiden- tions has secretly occupied the US and Well, in Larry Schnell’s case, 352-378-PLAY (7529) ning that fight came at the price of stu- Find us online at gainesvilletabletop.com and Facebook tial candidate Eugene V. Debs was con- dents being beaten and jailed. patrols the skies with black helicopters he writes a satirical book about victed under the Espionage Act for speak- — the Right’s jabs at campus culture are it, and he will be at the Civic ing against the First World War and was How could we have taken the enemy’s bait and called for censorship? No doubt not so easily dismissed. Media Center (433 S. Main St.) sentenced to ten years in prison. It was with copies of the book (or you from these struggles that the American it appeared to some activists as merely a The Right is in the process of running responsible first step. In other struggles, can buy it at Wild Iris Books) on Civil Liberties Union emerged in 1920. a damn good play: baiting the Left into that makes perfect sense. For example, Sunday, Nov. 12, at 7pm. Only in 1925 were First Amendment students calling for divestment from fos- an embrace of censorship and thereby rights affirmed as applying to the states. sil fuels first request divestment — that is, robbing one of the Left’s great cultural The Year of The Gator is based The case was Gitlow v. People of New open negotiations with the administration prizes, the morally sacrosanct banner of around a storyline of shaky busi- York, in which Mr. Gitlow was convicted — and when rejected they move on to dis- “Free Speech.” We cannot allow that. D ness investment, quick money scheming, political gamesman- ship, some quite interesting char- acters and situations which are only a tad removed from actual people and true happenings of the time he was reporting for the Sun and the Times-Union, which is al- ready set in the familiar confines of Alachua County.
There is a parallel to Chamber- gate, an actual happening when the new pro-business Sun pub- lisher colluded with the Chamber of Commerce and the UF Admin- istration to stifle the environmen- tal advocacy work of a couple UF professors, and a transcriber of the meeting tapes was so offended by it, they leaked the transcripts. There’s a fight over a cement plant, election shenanigans, cor- rupt economic development ef- forts by powerful interests--and it is a damn fun read.
Larry now lives in Cooperstown, NY. Besides reporting he also taught English, journalism and writing for several colleges and the University of Florida. D
page 14, Iguana, november/december 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org November/December 2017, Iguana page 15 CMC celebrates 24 years Civic Media Center showcases by Joe Courter The Civic Media Center’s 24th Anniversary event at the Matheson indigenous issues with Museum on Oct. 20 was a great success. Thank you to all who attended or sent in a donation to help us start the 24th year of operations. November Monday Movies It was great to have such a big crowd to mark the occasion: to present a surprise gift to honor one of the CMC’s most loyal by Kaithleen Hernandez volunteers Gaby Gross, to introduce a new CMC co-coordinator It is getting to be that time of year again where the Kaithleen Hernandez, and have a keynote address from Carol commercialization of holidays rears its ugly head. Thomas, as well as the Penrod Award presentation to Candi Churchill. Numerous raffle items were claimed and all the In November, our culture and the celebration of silent auction items were bid on and purchased. Special thanks Thanksgiving has taught us to ignore the genocide of go to John Moran and Eric Admunson for their art donations. our indigenous peoples without any regard to the truth The Matheson was a great host, and thanks, also, to the CMC of our history. volunteers and Board members who shared their time and efforts. Our Monday Movies at the Civic Media Center for the last The food was awesome and without the following restaurants two weeks of November will focus on Native American we would have been eating pizza: Andaz Indian Restaurant and history and current events that, unfortunately, have played Bar, Civilization, Elegant Events, Elizabeth Dionisi, Emiliano’s out in similar patterns. Cafe, Opus Coffee, Paramount Grill, Reggae Shack Cafe, Satchels, and Vine Organic Breads and Pasta. D As usual, on Mondays we screen documentaries or politically-relevant films at 7pm, followed with a www.civicmediacenter.org discussion. On November 20, we will be screening coordinators@ Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, an adaptation of Dee civicmediacenter.org Brown’s book that covers the history of Native People in 352-373-0010 the late nineteenth century, including an overview of the 433 S. Main St., Gainesville largest massacre to have ever occurred in United States 32601 history. The United States Army performed the killings, Park just to the south on SE 5th Ave, or after 7 pm at the courthouse and its soldiers were later awarded Medals of Honor. (just north of 4th Ave), or GRU (2 blocks east of CMC). At CMC’s On Monday November 27, we will screen AWAKE, A Civic Media Center Events Anniversary Dream From Standing Rock. AWAKE was directed by Every Thu Volunteer Meeting, 5:30pm Every Thu Poetry Jam, 8pm Josh Fox, who also directed Gasland. Celebration ... Fri, Nov 10 Puerto Rico Benefit Info Panel: All donations will go towards Puerto ABOVE: As part of the Civic Media This documentary takes you through a journey of what Rican grassroots organization PResente, 7pm Center’s 24th anniversary, a group the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe experience during their Sat, Nov 11 Say Yes to 2nd Chances & ACLU Presents: “13th,” documentary picture was taken to send along with a resistance to corporate powers. Aided by government film screening followed with discussion panel, food and childcare card to long-time and beloved friend workers, they attempt to stop the Dakota Access provided, 6pm of many, Jack Price, who is in a care Pipeline from desecrating their sacred burial lands. The Sun, Nov 12 Larry Schnell book reading of “The Year of the Gator,” 7pm facility out of town and could not come controversy of the Dakota Access Pipeline has inspired Mon, Nov 13 “Ai Wei Wei: Not Sorry,” film about Chinese dissident artist, 7pm to the event . Photo by Rebecca Paceley . resistance camps all over the United States since gaining Wed, Nov 15 One Year is Enough: Building a Socialist Resistance to Trump - panel discussion featuring organizers from Socialist Alternative, publicity in 2016. LEFT: Candi Churchill receives the Democratic Socialists of America, Industrial Workers of the World, 6pm Penrod Award for her outstanding The stories of our indigenous peoples who have Fri, Nov 17 Open Art Jam - bass rig & drum kit provided; bring your guitars & other instruments! Visual artists get in touch to feature your work. activist work in the Gainesville continued to suffer due to capitalism and assimilation, Sat, Nov 18 Mental Health First Aid training, 8:30am-5pm community . Photo by Mary Bahr, the fruit of colonization, are stories we must refuse to Sat, Nov 18 “Party Like You’re a Plant!” Benefit Music Show for The Fine Print courtesy of Veterans for Peace, put on the back burner. We cannot continue to ignore Magazine, 9pm Gainesville Chapter . D our history as if it isn’t being repeated every day. It is Mon, Nov 20 “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” documentary about the struggle for the important that we never lose sight of the truth of how American West from an Indigenous perspective, 7pm this nation was built; reflection and honoring truth is the Mon, Nov 27 “Awake, A Dream from Standing Rock,” documentary about the Standing only way we will be able to grow from these massacres Rock Sioux tribe’s struggle against the Dakota Access Pipeline, 7pm Fri, Dec 1 Holiday Artwalk featuring live blacksmithing demo by Jordan and injustices. Borstelmann in the courtyard, many other artists displaying and These two films will be followed by a discussion that selling wares inside, 7-10pm Fri, Dec 1 Open Art Jam - Holiday Artwalk will flow straight into our second- will be facilitated by Chippewa professor Nicole to-last Open Art Jam for 2017, so bring instruments and voices. Nesberg who specializes in race and gender studies. Mon, Dec 4 “Waiting for Superman” documentary about the education system We are honored to have her come and provide us with discussion facilitated by Education Taskforce, 7pm insight into the struggles that Native Americans have Mon, Dec 11 “Girl Rising” documentary tells the stories of 9 girls from different been facing since the beginning of Western colonization. regions of the world, 7pm Fri, Dec 15 Open Art Jam - featuring Enemies in Division. Bass rig & drum The Civic Media Center is at 433 S. Main St., with kit provided; bring your guitars and other instruments! Visual artists parking across the street or on SE 5th Ave. Donations to get in touch to feature your work. D support the CMC are welcome. Please support the CMC however you can: volunteering, memberships, donations, ideas, attendance at our events. Grassroots support keeps us going. page 16, Iguana, november/december 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org November/December 2017, Iguana page 17 I was picked as a radio announcer. I L: Yes, it was a part of what life was pretty good mind. I don’t remember a lot History and the people who make it: Luresa Lake played music on Sunday afternoon, and all about. of stuff, me being as healthy as I am, that my name got put out, “Luresa Lake, lis- Luresa Lake [L], original model for the have to [have] not too much meat on R: How did you all feel about it being G: So there was a like separate Black is great. And the fact that I was a mother ten to her music on Sunday afternoon.” historic Paradise Park, and her daughter you. People recognize me as being Miss closed? community in Ocala, right? of, how many children? [Laughter] All of the music of different nationalities Rose [R], were interviewed by Katie Paradise Park. And I just adore it. L: We felt like we was cheated, because R: Nine. and different bands and whatnot, I mixed L: No, not just in Ocala, baby. The United Gresham [G] in March, 2016 . That was after I went to New York and why close it when nobody’s arguing about it and played it. I actually had a great States of America had areas especially for L: One girl – well, two girls but one This is the 44th in a series of transcript to the schools up there. That gave me it in the first place. White or Black could voice. It was the joy of my life. I would White people, and areas especially for Black of them died. This is the only girl that excerpts from the Samuel Proctor Oral that natural accent of New Yorkers. My go. So why close it up? people. If you happened to be caught, a talk on TV, “and listen to Luresa Lake, is living, and I have now, how many History Program collection at the mother was a seamstress, and I was one G: What was your fondest memory Black man with a White woman, White men University of Florida . she’s coming to you with music.” I could boys living? of the best dressed girls in Ocala, because from Paradise Park? go on and on, I practiced it at home. would take you and hang you up to a tree. my mother could walk down the street, in public places where everybody can see R: You have six boys now. Transcript edited by Pierce Butler . L: Taking that picture on that tree. The see an outfit on someone, and go home I made myself pretty noticeable. People all you hanging there. That was the way life has L: I was born in Ocala, Florida on postcards themselves went all over the L: That by itself is pretty good. The thing and make it. When I went to school, over Ocala and on up the road would hear been in my day. It begun to lift, all that kind November 9, 1929. I am now eighty- world. Can you imagine what it made me everyone turned their head [Laughter]. me. “Tune in to Luresa, she plays Lionel of thing, things have changed such a tremen- that is most important is I have no pain. six years young, not old. [Laughter] My feel like? And the recognition that I got, Hampton music.” People from all over Oc- I attend to myself. Get up and do things. G: What was the role of Paradise Park dous amount, you say, “thank you God.” father was a farmer. My mother was a because after that postcard people, “Oh, ala, if they had a good record they saw to it She and I take walks each day, and – seamstress, and she used to play the piano within the Black community? there goes Luresa Lake!” My head got that I got that record to play on Sunday after- Right now I’m eighty-six years old, and for the Shady Grove Baptist Church, bigger than the football [Laughter]. noon. “This is Luresa Lake for your listening I have good health and strength and a R: She has a really healthy life. She participates in church activities. which I was a member of all of my life. Some of the guys that took the pictures pleasure. Now, I would love for you to G: Where did you go to school? were workers at Silver Springs. All of the stay with me throughout the afternoon She’s still a special lady, and all of and blah blah blah.” [Laughter] I got to her family make sure that they get L: Evergreen Elementary School, and then drivers at Silver Spring were Black men. That was unusual. I thought that was quite be very real known. a chance for her to come and stay to Howard High School. And I, being the with them still. She’s the monarch only girl in the family, also went to school an honor too. They were the ones that G: How did you end up on the of our family now. All her family’s in New York for a couple of years. I can’t drove those boats up and down the river radio? for people to see. Finally they got so that deceased, her immediate family. remember the school name at this time, L: Through White people. but I went there. Me being an only girl in every color could get on the boat. She’s the only one left. G: You were playing on a White my family, all of my aunts wanted me to R: If they sold enough tickets on the radio station? L: And I let them know I’m in stay with them. Many times I stayed with Black side, then they would send a boat to charge. [Laughter] I really do enjoy them, and cared for a baby or something Paradise Park to pick up the Blacks. L: Yes, ma’am. my life, because they visit me quite like that. All of my family thought that I G: So they were the same boats, and R: During that time, they needed often. was something very special. you got to see all the same things? to have something for the Black G: When did you first visit Paradise R: Anything else you want to say L: Oh yes, the whole thing. And the glass- community, and that’s when they set Park? Had you been to the springs about Paradise Park, now that it’s bottom boats, you would look down and aside a station that would play Black before Paradise Park was open? changed? Anything you wish that see all the fish of all different types. Silver music, because the Black music was L: Oh, it was one of the best things that they could incorporate in the new L: Well, see, Paradise Park was opened Springs is still an ideal place to visit, right so popular in Black, but also White could happen, because we had two places, Silver Springs, now that the gov- purposely for Black people. There was a on. It hasn’t changed, and that’s God given. and all kind of cultures. segregation problem years ago – the White more or less, in Ocala that we could go ernment owns it? It’s so amazing that things have changed G: What kind of events went on at people were on one side of Silver Spring, swimming: East Lake, which was a great so intensely as far as White and Black. The Paradise Park while it was open? L: The big thing that I would and Black people were on another side. big pond, and Silver Springs. Well, when White and Black nowadays sit together, R: Church. Baptisms. They had Easter really like to emphasize is that The river belongs to everyone. They even they separated us, they gave us a decent live together, marry each other, and that’s egg hunts out there for churches. segregation is no longer a part of wanted to separate the waters as though place, and decent roads, and even people amazing, because years ago your head the life of American people. And the water would turn one white, or black, where we can buy candies, and all of that. L: Yeah, that’s true. It was most in- might have been blown off. Black man that’s enough right there, just that. whichever the case may be. That was one of They made it perfect, and people from teresting. We were given an area to marrying a White woman? You had to be the things that we learned to live with, and everywhere, over the states, would come. enjoy at Silver Springs, and it didn’t Search for “Luresa Lake” at http:// mighty careful. All over the south, there accept, and appreciate it because Paradise If you were Black you knew you would bother us, because we were used to oral.history.ufl.edu for the full separate, and you accepted that. If you is a little bit of it every now and then yet. Parks was fixed up very nice. All of that being separated, Black from White. transcript of this interview . was available to Black people. People from were White you went to the White side. We G: Did having Paradise Park make We felt like it was an honor to have everywhere in the United State visited. never mixed or had problems with that. We you feel special? the area, even though Silver Springs The Samuel Proctor Oral History accepted what we were given in those days. should be for everyone. It’s a matter Program believes that listening G: How did you become the model for L: Yes. I didn’t just feel special about of accepting whatever is inevitable carefully to first-person narratives the Paradise Park brochures? G: There was never any violence, or Paradise Park, I was an only sister of my issues with the separation? three brothers. Not only that, but I had several at the time. can change the way we understand L: People sort of picked attractive Black aunts. One lived in New York City, one in Yeah, that was the way of life. Black history, from scholarly questions women and made them stand out. This L: No, none at all. We actually felt we Jacksonville, others in Ocala, and places like people do not integrate with White to public policy . SPOHP needs was always done by people with money. were blessed. Silver Springs was always people. It’s just beginning to lift the public’s help to sustain and I was an attractive Black girl. They asked such an ideal place, because the waters that. Each of those aunts wanted me to come in your day. I can remember when build upon its research, teaching, for pictures for Paradise Park, and they were so good, nice and comfortable to and spend some time in their houses, and I Paradise Park was a tourist attraction “for asked me to be a model. I thought that be in. In East Lake the waters would did. I took care of my little cousins. different Black men were hung up by colored people” from the late 1940s-1960s . and service missions: even was an honor, and I still do, because there be cold in cold weather. But Silver It seemed to me from around my teen years, trees for courting a White woman. The Luresa Lake was asked to pose for the cover of small donations can make a big were many beautiful Black women, but Springs was always an ideal place for racism wasn’t really such a major issue separation didn’t really bother us. one of Paradise Park’s brochures, which she difference in SPOHP’s ability to for some reason I was picked. I think swimming. It still is. Only now, you can in the long run. People accepted you for G: You felt like it was for, like called “an opportunity of a lifetime .” Photo by gather, preserve, and promote it was because of my size, because you go anywhere you want. different reasons, whatever they were. your own safety kind of? Bruce Mozert . history for future generations . D page 18, Iguana, november/december 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org November/December 2017, Iguana page 19 Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards on Nov. 13 Florida has the largest convergence of freshwater springs on the intertwined with the water we drink. Tragically, Skiles died while planet and one of our most impressive natural wonders are the on a dive off Boynton Beach in 2010. He was posthumously underwater caves. awarded “Explorer of the Year” in 2011 by National Geographic. Alachua County’s own, Wes C. Skiles, began diving at age 8 and Wes Skiles’ family continues to live in High Springs, Florida quickly became internationally recognized for his accomplish- and Skiles’ brother Jim is an active member of the Rotary Club ments in underwater filming and springs conservation awareness. of Downtown Gainesville. Rotary International is a service Skiles’ work included more than 100 films for television that organization and each chapter has its own local focuses. Since he filmed, produced, and edited. “Water’s Journey: The Hidden 2012, the club has included water stewardship as one of its six areas Rivers of Florida” still airs on PBS and reveals the journey of of philanthropy. In 2013, the club began a fundraiser to honor three water above and within the earth; revealing how our lives are educators, businesses and organizations for their exceptional efforts in improving water quality and conservation in North Florida. This year, the event, now retitled the Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards is being held on Monday November 13. The event is open to the public and funds will support water stewardship in Wes Skiles’ memory. GRU, Ginnie Springs, Gainesville Fine Arts Alliance, Lanza Gallery and Art Supplies, First Magnitude Brewing, Carr, Riggs, and Ingram, and James Moore and Company sponsor the event. The event will feature keynote speaker Jennifer Adler, an underwater photographer and biologist. With the support of National Geographic, she created an environmental education program called Walking on Water. Tickets are available at https://wesskiles.eventbrite.com Film explores the murder of black citizens, shot at lynching sites in six states Event: Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Awards by Joe Courter reported in the black press, but largely Farm, an Alachua County attraction, was Hosted by: The Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville ignored in the more “mainstream” media. the home of some of the perpetrators of the Location: Gainesville Fine Arts Association, 1314 S. Main St. On Oct. 24 the Matheson Museum pre- sented a powerful new film “An Outrage,” In the discussion period after the film, Newberry 6 lynching needs to be acknowl- Time: 6pm – 8:30pm edged. This will be a growing issue in our For more information, contact Sarah Barnes at (843)812-3334. D a relatively short 34-minute documentary Patricia Hilliard-Nunn spoke about the that explores the reality of lynching in the legacy of lynching in Florida (which county in the years to come. United States. had the highest per capita rate of lynch- Exciting news was mentioned at the con- In interviews with family members and ing in the nation), zeroing in on the clusion by co-directors Hannah Brown friends, and visits to actual locations, the lynching of six people that took place in Ayers and Lance Warren. The Southern film travels to Virginia, Texas, South Car- Newberry, Florida, just west of Gaines- Poverty Law Center will be incorporat- olina, Georgia and Mississippi, and spans ville in the early 1920s. ing the film and a teaching guide into from 1898 to 1946, demonstrating that It was announced that there are efforts un- their “Teaching Tolerance” school cur- the murder of black citizens was a form of derway being led by Commissioner Rob- riculum, available to 500,000 teachers social control and intimidation, and often ert Hutchinson to recognize and commem- across the country. was accompanied by protracted torture orate lynching victims in Alachua County. More information about the film is at and abuse. These killings were widely While that is good, the fact that the Dudley www.an-outrage.com. D
clinic primarily serves residents of Alachua, Bradford and Union Counties. The Clinic fulfills Iguana Directory its mission with the help of a broad-based core of volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, hygienists, Call 352-378-5655 or email [email protected] with updates and additions pharmacists and counselors. Located at 23320 N. State Rd 235 Brooker, Florida 32622 352-485-1133 Readers: If there is inaccurate information here, alachuagreens.weebly.com, alachuagreens@ please let us know . If you are connected to an gmail.com, 352-871-1995 American Civil Liberties Union Currently no organization listed here, please check and update Alachua County Labor Coalition meets local chapter. For info on forming a new chapter, so others can be accurately informed . monthly and organizes to support local labor or ACLU info, contact Jax office 904-353-7600 or [email protected] Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc. Protecting and advance the national campaigns for Open: Mon-Fri 7 am-10 pm North Central Florida’s natural, scenic, Medicare for All and a living wage. Contact: Amnesty International UF campus chapter of Sat-Sun 9 am-10 pm historic & recreational resources for over 25 http://laborcoalition.org/, info@laborcoalition. worldwide human rights movement; www.facebook. years. ACT is the 2013 national Land Trust org, 352-375-2832, PO Box 12051, 901 NW 8th com/ufamnesty or [email protected]. DRIVE THRU & CALL-INS Excellence award recipient. 352-373-1078. Ave., Suite A1, Gainesville, 32604 Avian Research and Conservation Institute Two locations: AlachuaConservationTrust.org Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs (ARCI) is a non-profit research organization 407 NW 12th St. Alachua County Green Party Part of a (ACORN) Clinic is a not-for- profit (501C3) working to stimulate conservation action to save worldwide movement built out of four interrelated organization that provides low-cost, high-quality threatened species of birds in the southeastern 5011 NW 34th St. social pillars that support its politics: the peace, medical and dental care, and social services for U.S., www.arcinst.org civil rights, environmental and labor movements. people with and without health insurance. The Continued on next page page 20, Iguana, november/december 2017 Gainesville, Florida www.GainesvilleIguana.org November/December 2017, Iguana page 21 Continued from preceding page Families Against Mandatory Minimums Work Gainesville Zen Center and Hostel A Zen MindFreedom North Florida Human rights Pride Community Center of North Central Sunday Assembly, a secular congregation to reform Florida’s sentencing laws and restore Buddhist community offering rooms to rent on group for psychiatric survivors and mental health Florida Resources for the gay/lesbian which celebrates life, meets the third Sunday of Central Florida Democratic Socialists of America fairness to Florida’s criminal justice system. PO a daily basis. 404 SE 2nd St., 352-336-3613, consumers. 352-328-2511 community, open M-F, 3-7, Sat. noon-4. Located each month at 11 am at 530 W. University Ave. A local chapter of Democratic Socialists of America Box 142933, Gainesville, FL 32614, gnewburn@ [email protected] at 3131 NW 13th St., Suite 62. 352-377-8915, (Santa Fe College campus building in downtown focusing on local social and political activism issues famm.org. 352-682-2542 Move to Amend, Gainesville is an organization www.GainesvillePride.org Gainesville). There is a talk, music, sing-alongs, to better our community. General meetings are on Graduate Assistants United Union represents dedicated to amending the US Constitution to discussion, refreshments and felllowship. See Final Friends helps families learn how to accom- Protect Gainesville Citizens Group whose the 4th Monday of every month at the Downtown UF grad assistants by fighting for improved establish that money is not speech, and that only http://SAGainesville.weebly.com/ Library in Gainesville in Meeting Room A. plish legal home funeral care as an alternative to working conditions, community involvement human beings have constitutional rights. Contact mission is to provide Gainesville residents with [email protected], www.fb.com/centralfldsa employing a commercial funeral home. We are an and academic freedom. 352-575-0366, officers@ Alachua County Green Party for info. accurate and comprehensible information about UF College Democrats (UFCD) meets Tuesdays independent group of volunteers who provide free the Cabot/Koppers Superfund site. 352-354- at 6:30 in Little Hall 121. 407-580-4543, Citizens Climate Lobby (Gainesville Chapter) ufgau.org, www.ufgau.org education, guidance and support to anyone who National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 2432, www.protectgainesville.org Facebook.com/UFcollegedems provides education/activist opportunities to prefers to care for their own deceased loved ones Grow Radio Non-profit provides opportunities for Support, education and advocacy for families bring about a stable climate. Meetings are on the Quaker Meetinghouse Quakers have a 350- UF Pride Student Union Group of gay, lesbian, prior to burial or cremation. www.finalfriends.org, community members to create and manage engag- and loved ones of persons with mental illness/ Wednesday after the first Saturday of each month at year tradition of working peacefully for social bi and straight students & non-students, faculty [email protected], 352-374-4478 ing, educational, locally-generated programming to brain disorders. 374-5600. ext. 8322; www. 12:30, at Vine Bread & Pasta place at 627 N. Main justice. Silent, unprogrammed worship Sundays promote fine, musical/visual arts and humanities for namigainesville.org and staff. www.grove.ufl.edu/~pride St. 352-672-4327, www.citizensclimatelobby.org, The Fine Print Independent, critically thinking at 11, followed by potluck. Visitors welcome. 702 enrichment of the community. www.growradio.org. UF Radical Student Alliance A progressive [email protected] outlet for political, social and arts coverage National Committee to Preserve Social Security NW 38th St. Facebook/GainesvilleQuakers for PO Box 13891, Gainesville, 32604, 352-219-0145 grassroots organization that strives to combat through local, in-depth reporting for Gainesville’s and Medicare Local advocates work to promote/ events or request Meetinghouse space at www. Civic Media Center Alternative reading room (v), 352-872-5085 (studio hotline) social justice issues on campus; core values students. www.thefineprintuf.org preserve these threatened programs for senior GainesvilleQuakers.org. and library of the non-corporate press, and a are transparency, democratic process, value of citizens. We have literature, speakers, T-shirts. Repurpose Project, a nonprofit junk shop and resource and space for organizing. 352-373- Florida School of Traditional Midwifery A Home Van A mobile soup kitchen going to each member’s input, and ability of any mem- Email: [email protected]. See national community center, diverts useful resources froj the 0010, www.civicmediacenter.org, 433 S Main clearinghouse for information, activities and homeless areas twice a week with food and other ber to assume a leadership role. Meetings at Web site to join: http://www.ncpssm.org/ landfill, redirects these items to the public for art St.,Gainesville, 32601 educational programs. 352-338-0766 www. necessities, delivering about 400 meals per week; 6:30 pm Tuesdays on campus, ufradstudental- operated by Citizens for Social Justice. barupa@ and educaton, inspires creativity, and helps us all The Coalition for Racial Justice gnv4all@ midwiferyschool.org National Lawyers Guild Lawyers, law students, le- [email protected]. atlantic.net or 352-372-4825 rethink what we throw away. Lets all help protect Florida Defenders of the Environment works gmail.com gal workers and jailhouse lawyers using the law to ad- t he planet and buy used. Open to the public. Tues- United Faculty of Florida, UF chapter Run to protect freshwater resources, conserve public The Coalition of Hispanics Integrating Humanist Society of Gainesville meets at 7 pm on vance social justice, support progressive social move- Sat: 10am--6pm. www.repurposeproject.org by and for faculty, the University of Florica lands, and provide quality environmental educa- the 3rd Wednesday of most months at Unitarian Uni- ments. [email protected] or www.nlg.org Spanish Speakers through Advocacy and River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding Chapter of United Faculty of Florida (UFF-UF) tion since 1969, 352-475-1119, Fladefenders.org versalist Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th St to discuss and Service (CHISPAS) Student-run group at UF. National Women’s Liberation is a feminist provides innovative ways to resolve conflict and represents over 1600 faculty and professionals promote secular, humanist, atheist & agnostic social [email protected] Gainesville Area AIDS Project provides toiletries, group for women who want to fight back against provides services like mediation, communication at UF. UFF’s origins lie in efforts by faculty to influences-www.gainesvillehumanists.org or face- Code Pink: Women for Peace Women-led household cleaners, hot meals, frozen food at no cost male supremacy and win more freedom for skill building and restorative justice. www. protect academic freedom, defend civil liberties, book.com/humanistsocietyofgainesville; gainesville- grassroots peace and social justice movement to people living with HIV/AIDS. www.gaaponline. women. Inequalities between women and men are centerforpeacebuilding.org. 2603 NW 13th St. and end racial discrimination at UF. www.UFF- [email protected]. utilizing creative protest, non-violent direct action org, [email protected], 352-373-4227, Open political problems requiring a collective solution. #333, 352-234-6595 UF.org, 352-519-4130. Tuesdays 10-1 and last Friday of month 5-7. and community involvement. CodePink4Peace. Humanists on Campus UF organization provides Founded 1968. Join us: www.womensliberation. Rural Women’s Health Project is a local health United Nations Association, Gainesville org, [email protected] Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to Death a community for freethinking, secular humanists. org, P.O. Box 14017, Gainesville, 32604, 347- education oreganization developing materials Florida Chapter Purpose is to heighten citizen 560-4695, [email protected] The Community Weatherization Coalition is Penalty works to abolish the death penalty. Join Goals include promoting values of humanism, promoting health justice for migrant and rural awareness and knowledge of global problems vigils when Florida has an execution. Meets first a grassroots community coalition whose mission discussing issues humanists face internationally. NCF AWIS is an advocacy organization champion- women. Robin or Fran 352-372-1095 and the UN efforts to deal with those issues. Tuesday every month at St. Augustine Church is to improve home weatherization and energy We strive to participate in community ing the interest of women in science, technology, Samuel Proctor Oral History Program focuses www.afn.org/~una-usa/. & Catholic Student Center , 1738 W. University efficiency for low-income households through service and bring a fun, dynamic group to engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across all on story-telling, social justice research, social Ave, 352-378-1690, www.fadp.org. United Way Information and Referral education, volunteer work projects and community- the university! Preferred contact info: email disciplines and employment sectors. Meetings are movement studies, oral history workshops. [email protected], alternative: Human-staffed computer database for resources building. The CWC welcomes new volunteers to Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant usually the first Monday of the month (except holi- http://oral.history.ufl.edu and organizations in Alachua County. 352-332- get involved in a variety of ways, from performing [email protected], phone- 561-374-3537 Justice (IAIJ) organizes faith communities to work days) from 5:30 -7:30 pm Millhopper Branch, Ala- Say Yes to Second Chances Florida is a coalition 4636 or simply 211 audits, to PR/Graphics and more. Contact: 352- together for immigrant justice. Meets 2nd Mondays Indivisible Gainesville* is one of 5800 local chua County Public Library. All meetings open to of nonpartisan civic and faith organizations who 450-4965 or [email protected] Veterans for Peace Anti-war organization at 6 pm at the Mennonite Meeting House, 1236 public. [email protected] or www.ncfawis.org are working for Florida’s Voting Restoration chapters of the national Indivisible movement, that raises awareness of the detriments of Conservation Burial, Inc. promotes natural NW 18th Ave. [email protected], www. Amendment to allow people who’ve paid their working to peacefully and systematically resist Occupy Gainesville is about engaging local militarism and war as well as seeking peaceful burial practices in cemeteries that conserve land gainesvilleiaij.blogspot.com, 352-377-6577 debt to society to earn back their right to vote. the Trump agenda. We are a group of local people in grassroots, participatory democracy, and effective alternatives. Meets first Wednesday and reunite people with the environment. 352- Gainesville Loves Mountains partners with https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy.com/ volunteers fighting against agendas of division, diversity and dialogue; we stand in solidarity of every month at 7 pm. 352-375-2563, http:// 372-1095, [email protected] Appalachian allies to end mountaintop removal inequality, financial influence in government, with the Occupy Wall Street Movement and the Sierra Club meets the first Thursday of every vfpgainesville.org/ Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. Non- coal mining and build a prosperous economy/ and policies that neglect to benefit all American rest of the people peacefully occupying public month at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist profit land trust working to protect Florida’s rural sustainable future. We pursue policies to strengthen citizens equally. indivisiblegnv.org. space across this county and the the world. Fellowship of Gainesville-4225 NW 34th St. WGOT-LP 100.1 FM Community low-power landscapes, wildlife corridors and natural areas. our local economy through energy efficiency, clean radio station operating as part of the CMC. Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) www.occupygainesville.org and https://www. 352-528-3751, www.ssjsierra.org 352-466-1178, Conserveflorida.org energy. [email protected], facebook.com/occupygainesville [email protected], www.wgot.org 352-610-1090, http://gainesvillelovesmountains. Gainesville General Membership Branch Sister City Program of Gainesville links Democratic Party of Alachua County Women’s March Gainesville meets on the sec- wordpress.com/ Union for all workers, regardless of industry, Our Santa Fe River and Ichetucknee Alliance Gainesville with sister cities in Russia, Israel ond Monday of each month: for location and Meetings held the second Wednesday each trade, job, or employment status. Meets 1st are two of a number of grassroots environmentalist and Palestine, Iraq, and Haiti. Meetings are Gainesville NOW www.gainesvillenow.org. agenda information, please see are on the second month at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Sunday of the month at 6 pm at CMC. Contact: groups campaigning to protect and restore the rivers the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. [email protected] NOW meeting info Monday of each month, see www.hearourvoice- Gainesville Police Headquarters on NW 6th St. [email protected] and springs. See: http://www.oursantaferiver.org/ at the Mennonite Meeting House, 1236 NW contact Lisa at 352-450-1912 gnv.org; m.facebook.com/wmflgnv/;www.face- & 8th Ave. Office is at 901 NW 8th Ave., 352- and http://www.ichetuckneealliance.org/ 18th Ave. (across from Gainesville HS). http:// 373-1730, alachuadems.org Gainesville Peer Respite A non-profit, non- League of Women Voters of Alachua County www.gnvsistercities.org book.com/groups/wmflgnv/; Instagram.com/wo- Nonpartisan grassroots political group of women Dream Defenders The Gainesville chapter seeks clinical mental health community providing PFLAG (Parents and Families of Lesbians Stand By Our Plan informs the public on crit- mensmarchgnv/; Twitter.com/WMFL_Gnv/ and/ and men which has fought since 1920 to improve to create positive change by organizing creative- sanctuary and support to those experiencing and Gays) meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month ical differences between the Comprehensive or email [email protected]. Together our systems of government and impact public ly skilled young leaders who strategically con- emotional distress. Peer Support Warmline is at the Fellowship Hall of the United Church of Plan and Plum Creek’s proposal, which we do we can do anything... Join Us! We Need You. policies (fairness in districting, voting and front institutions of oppression through building available 6pm-6am, and we offer wellness ac- Gainesville (1624 NW 5th Ave.) at 7 pm with a not support. Alachua County’s Comprehensive Let’s build this peaceful movement together! elections, e.g.) through citizen education and programmed portion and informal meeting with collective power, raising the consciousness of all tivities, support groups and brief overnight re- Plan is the best blueprint for future growth in World Socialist Party of the United States advocacy. http://www.lwvalachua.org/ info@ opportunity to talk and peruse their resource people, and operating with the genuine desire for spite stays. Call the Warmline at 352-559-4559 the county’s unincorporated areas; it protects (WSP-US) welcomes anyone wanting to lwv-alachua.org
Veterans for Peace will host its 31st Annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4225 N.W. 34th St. The event will feature music from Cathy Dewitt & Mark Billman, Cherokee Peace Chant, Drums of Peace, Lauren Robinson, Janet and Maggie Rucker, Quartermoon, Other Voices, The Errelics, Jason Hedges & Sarah Darden, A Choir of Heavenly Semi- Angels, and more, along with readings from our Peace Poetry Contest winners. Bill Hutchinson will be the MC for the event. If you’ve never been part of a community of 400 people, holding hands and singing John Lennon’s ‘Imagine,’ come experience the possibility of peace and love. If sold out, standing room will be available outside where the concert can also be heard through large speakers. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Mcintyre Stained Glass Studio & Art Gallery, Thornebrook Village, 2441 NW 43rd St., #11, for a suggested donation of $15 to $30. Doors open at 6:30pm and the concert begins at 8pm. Advance tickets guarantee admission until 8pm. Outside the event, organizations and groups from the Gainesville area will Subscribe! set up informational booths and tables. The Attendees are encouraged to bring for Individuals: $15 a year donation clothing, food and personal Gainesville (or more if you can) items, to be collected and distributed Low/No income: what you can by Helping Hands Clinic. Refreshments Iguana Groups: $20 a year will be available. Gainesville Iguana, Parking is available at the event, but is Gainesville's progressive P .O . Box 14712, limited (carpooling recommended). Parking newsletter and events Gainesville, FL 32604 attendants will be present to assist drivers. calendar Comments, suggestions, contributions All proceeds from the celebration will be (written or financial) are welcome. To list your event or group, contact us at: used to support programs that Veterans Established for Peace organize year round, including (352) 378-5655 the Memorial Mile on 8th Ave., the Peace 1986 GainesvilleIguana@cox .net Poetry Contest -- held for K-12 students www .gainesvilleiguana .org in Alachua County -- as well as the Peace facebook .com/gainesvilleiguana Scholarship, awarded to two graduating seniors from Alachua County who work Current and past issues since 1996 and PDFs since 2012 are available at for peace and justice. www .gainesvilleiguana .org page 24, Iguana, november/december 2017 Gainesville, Florida