We are calling on all villages to assist in this clarion call to address the weakening of this country in its respect for the power of diversity. Calling every grass roots organization, each Temple, Lodge, Church, Mosque, the Divine Nine and their youth groups out to support this event. Not only will there be voter education as well as voter registration with the giving away of banned books, different community organizations will have information available to include health related screenings testing and other services as well as FREE FOOD and entertainment.
In the spirit of a “Celebration Village”, we will bring attention to and present actions to address the following points:
- Governor DeSantis and the Florida State Legislature are denying the constitutionally guaranteed rights of democracy, equality and justice to African Americans, other groups of color, women and the LGBTQIA community.
- Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature must revoke the WOKE Act.
- Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature must revoke all legislation that bans books, divests state funds from schools that practice diversity, equity and inclusion and criminalizes the teaching of the American history that they want suppressed.
- Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature support suppression of the Black vote. Governor DeSantis has successfully used racial and partisan gerrymandering to eliminate the 5th Congressional District in 2022 while the question of redrawing the electoral districts was in litigation.
- Governor DeSantis’ intervention in the process to eliminate the 5th Congressional District in 2022 denied Black Floridians the opportunity to elect a representative of their choice to Congress.
- All eligible people need to register to vote to elect people to the legislature who respect and support democracy, equality and diversity.
- Actively Support Democracy! Remember to exercise your right to vote and encourage others to do so as well. Too many people did not vote in 2020 and 2022 resulting in the composition of this non-representative legislature.
- We urge all to WORK with groups that support democracy, equality and justice in Florida, including the NAACP, League of Women Voters, Black Voters Matters, the American Federation of Teachers, Florida Education Association, Florida Rising, Equality Florida, National Organization for Women, student organizations and many others.
- We Must Stay WOKE – know your rights, know the history of this country and refuse to allow Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature to turn this state backwards.
Governor DeSantis’ actions during his tenure and those of the Florida legislature undermine democracy, equality, and justice. We must build an organized, statewide coalition that will stand up for these principles and against the attacks on them led by Governor DeSantis.
We Must Stop DeSantis’ efforts to export his vile and evil policies nationwide to “Make America Florida.”
Your support, suggestions and services are welcomed and needed to make “our” celebration village successful. Thank you.
Please contact either: Linda Thigpin at: (305) 804-7195 or lindathigp@aol.com; Mark W. Johnson at: (954) 604-0590 or mwj322@gmail.com; Bobby R. Henry, Sr. (954) 605-8107 or brhsr@thewestsidegazette.com