Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 7-19-16 Online Edition

Black Lives
Nearly 300 Attend ‘Black Lives Matter’ Protest
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, Ms. Donna Davis planned to host yet another “Black Lives Matter” protest and slated it for Sat- urday afternoon. However, as the time for the event drew close, the weather turned dreary.
But despite the disap- pointing weather nearly 300 people attended the event. It was held at Centennial Park, 1800 E. 8th Avenue. The event began at 4 p.m.
Ms. Donna Davis, or- ganizer of the “Black Lives Matter” Movement shared the purpose of the protest. “As the national dialogue on racism builds in our country after the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, we continue to fight to end institutionalized racism across the nation and right here in our own com- munities with law enforce- ment.
“We have attempted dia- logue with the City of Tampa on continued documented is-
DONNA DAVIS Founder of “Black Lives Matter”
sues of racial injustice, tar- geting, and unprofessional behavior from TPD. City Councilman Frank Red- dick proposed a Civilian Re- view Board for the Tampa Police Department with sub- poena power. The commu- nity supported this proposal and packed City Hall multi- ple times in hopes of getting it implemented.
“Instead, Mayor Buck- horn co-opted the creation of a Board that has no power and no teeth and does noth- ing to solve the problems we
have in our communities. We are still fighting for a rela- tionship with law enforce- ment based on mutual respect and understanding rather than fear and intimi- dation. We demand systemic change now.”
At the time of the rally, a Sentinel reader observed the “Black Lives Matter” protest and shared her thoughts in an email. It reads as follows:
“On July 16, 2016, as I dined at a restaurant in Ybor City, there I could not help but to visually be taken in by the peaceful Black Lives Mat- ter (BLM) demonstration in the Ybor Square. There were many police in cars, on bicycles, and walking while incasing the demon- stration from a distance.
“The protestors were Black, Hispanic, White, and other people of color came together to peacefully protest against racism and police brutality and the continuous killings of Black men. The protesters’ ages ranged from school age to middle age standing together to send one message of peace: Stop killing Black people and stop
the racism.
“This progressive positive
movement can be applied to many societal issues where people are not receiving equal protection under the law, or equity in education, and employment opportuni- ties that support families and communities.
“According to protestors, the “Black Lives Matter” movement was born out of institutions not solving prob- lems that were killing Black people in the form of life, mind, and economics. There has not been any effective representation, no advocacy, no solutions, and no end to the atrocities that take place many times a day to Black people and their communi- ties.
“As we move forward to a better future, we must un- derstand every public institu- tion that exists, is for the benefit of all its citizens. So, when these institutions stop working effectively for all of its citizens, there must be a restructuring process by its citizens to assure institutions work for all citizens.”
The email was simply signed “Saba.”
Back To School
Back To School Coalition To Host
‘A Health Initiative’
The Back To School Coalition of Hillsborough County is pre- senting “A Health Initiative To Be School Ready.”
To participate in the event, a parent or legal guardian must accompany their child at all times; an immunization record is required to receive shots; free physicals for children K-12; free immunizations for Medicaid or uninsured children K-12, and no sports, Head Start, or child care physicals will be given.
You can register to attend this event online a www.back2schoolfair.org, or to make an appointment, you can call (813) 443-3048.
This year’s Back To School Fairs will be held:
Saturday, July 23rd, Lennard High School, 2342 Shell Point Road, Ruskin, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cas- sandra Blaylock, Site Coordinator.
Saturday, July 23rd, Shaw Elementary School, 11311 North 15th Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Francis Joseph, Site Coordinator.
Saturday, July 30th a Middleton High School, 4801 North 22nd Street, from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m., Tina Young, Site Coordinator.
Saturday, August 6th, Blake High School, 1701 North Boulevard, from 9 a. m. to 1 p.m., Tina Young, Site Co- ordinator.
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9