Gainesville Friends Plan Direct Action Campaigns

Lakey workshop at Gainesville Meeting

Following up on what they learned in the recent George Lakey workshop, ‘How We Win,’ Gainesville Quakers have begun taking steps to wage nonviolent direct action campaigns.

First, they held a worship sharing/forum to determine group and individual leadings for waging. Four issues were identified:

• Rodman Dam area restoration of 20 springs
• Denying Nestle’s permit for water extraction from the water source for Ginnie Springs
• Halting the proposed phosphate mining in Bradford County
• Climate change

Campaign charts were begun for each issue, and the group committed to continue the process as an ad hoc committee.

The next steps include:

• 

  Kody Hersh, SEYM Youth & Young Adult Coordinator

  On January 31st, a group of 6 will take a 4-hour tour of the Ocklawaha River springs/Rodman Dam area with Florida Defenders of the Environment.

• On February 2, Kody Hersh will lead a workshop, Finding Your Role in the Movement for Peace and Justice. All Friends are welcome to attend. Read more & register>

• On February 16th, 1:00 – 2:30 pm, Tracy Marinello, the executive Secretary of Florida Defenders of the Environment, will give a presentation to the Meeting about the Ocklawaha River- it’s flooded springs, Florida’s drawdown policy, and the movement to breach the “Rodman” Dam. Open to the Public. Seating limited to 40 attendees. Contact Gail Stallings   See the flyer>

—-Gail Stallings, Gainesville Quaker Meeting