Sarasota Indymedia Top Stories

Responding to Homelessness in Sarasota

AllisonPinto — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:14:40 +0000

This morning when I checked my Blackberry for today’s headlines in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, I was stunned to read this one: “"Battle lines drawn over homeless in Sarasota park." As a former military wife whose husband deployed to Afghanistan, the metaphor of “battle lines” still gets me in the gut, and when it is used to describe present-day conflicts within the United States, it is particularly disturbing.

My gut reaction was then confirmed when I read the article. It reported that in response to the enduring pattern of suffering that exists with regard to homelessness in Sarasota, one hundred downtown residents and merchants gathered this week to discuss their concerns and possible responses. Evidently the police were on hand as well; the article did not indicate whether people who are homeless, or the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, were also invited or present at the meeting.

Security Alert: Omali Yeshitela and Uhuru delegation determined to attend Sierra Leone workers conference despite martial law.

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:25:10 +0000

For more information call: 727.821.6621

Supporters of human rights for African people alerted to protest if the government attempts to deter the delegation.

Be prepared to take action! Call in to the US, British and Sierra Leone embassies—numbers below! Watch Uhuru News for timely updates on this situation.

Activists Protest St. Petersburg Mayor's "Successes"

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:20:56 +0000

On Saturday, November 7^th, a “shindig” was held for St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker. The private party, which cost between $125 and $10,000 to attend, was meant to celebrate the successes of mayor Baker. The party was originally scheduled to take place at Williams Park, a popular spot for the city’s homeless. After local activists pointed out the absurdity of kicking out homeless people from a park to hold a celebration for a mayor who has been anti-homeless and vowing to protest the celebration, organizers feared the negative attention and moved the event to Demen’s Landing, a less-accessible venue.

Man filming Immokalee farmworkers' protest in Sarasota Works for Publix

Andrea Ortiz — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:11:39 +0000

From the Coalition of Immokalee Workers website:

Unsettling experience at last weekend's Publix actions becomes issue in Publix campaign...

Florida Youth Power!

Andrea Ortiz — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:22:58 +0000

It is imperative that we take an ethical stand and change the way that we treat and live with undocumented immigrants. The time has come where all of us must understand how personal ignorance, political misrepresentations, and social misconceptions are pivotal parts of the everyday injustices displaced people, immigrants, and refuges must bear.

Nevertheless, we must also recognize that youth-led initiatives are fundamental to the solution: for example, students across Florida and the United states are organizing to end the oppressive and dehumanizing conditions faced by immigrants and to extend educational accessibility for ALL, including undocumented and/or underprivileged youth.

Free Speech Activists Battle Baywalk

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:02:36 +0000

The line has been drawn in St. Petersburg between free speech activists and corporate interests. At issue is a sidewalk in front of baywalk, a downtown entertainment complex. Baywalk’s owners, CW Capital, have lobbied the city of St. Petersburg to privatize the sidewalk for the expressed purpose of stopping protests.

African People's Solidarity Day!

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:22:23 +0000

http://apscuhuru.org/emails/stpete/APSD.html

Don't miss the event of the year - African People's Solidarity Day!
Mark your calendars now - tickets can be purchased by contacting the
Uhuru Solidarity Movement at 727-683-9949, stpete@apscuhuru.org.

African People's Solidarity Day
Benefit • Speakers • Workshops • Dinner
$20 - 50 donation includes dinner
Sunday, October 11th • 1:00 pm
Studio@620
620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg

A call to the white community:
No solution to the economic crisis at the expense of African people!

• The U.S. attempts to solve the deep economic crisis through colonial wars from Afghanistan & Iraq to the streets of St. Petersburg.

Amaizing Victory: Coalition of Immokalee Members-Compass Group Accord

Andrea Ortiz — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:35:50 +0000

Eric Schlosser, author of "Fast Food Nation" and award-winning journalist, said: "There's no question that this is the greatest victory for farmworkers since Cesar Chavez in the 1970s"Vi

Raytheon Protest

agsweeting — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:12:27 +0000

Swamp Defender Takes On Energy Giant's Claims To Barley Barber Swamp

marlon — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:00:45 +0000

Stuart, FL—Today’s victory against Florida Power & Light (FPL) was bittersweet for Stevie Lynn Lowe. The jury returned a ‘not-guilty’ verdict for the charge of Trespassing on the Barley Barber swamp, indicating that State Prosecutors, Maria Zamora were unable to establish clear property boundaries for the old-growth swamp claimed as private property by FPL . Yet, in a confusing twist of events, a verdict of ‘guilty’ was returned for the charge of Resisting Without Violence (a charge which rarely stands on its own.)