This week (9/21 – 9/29), activists have the opportunity to attend club meetings, film screenings, local government meetings, and educational summits. Read on if you want to get involved in the community regarding preventing sexual violence, racial issues, food insecurity, environmental issues or political involvement.
- Wednesday, Sep 21 InterACT Open House @ 7 p.m.
New College of Florida
Gender and Diversity Center
NCF InterACT is a Bystander Intervention educational program designed by New College of Florida students. The group seeks to educate the student body on what Bystander Intervention is, its importance both on and off campus, and how everyone can work to be a better bystander. For more information, check out sites.ncf.edu/interact/ or e-mail the SHARE Resource Center at SHARECenter@ncf.edu.
- Saturday, Sep 24 Books & Breakfast: Black and Indigenous Solidarity @ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Child’s Park Recreation
4301 13th Ave. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Books and Breakfast’s mission is to provide informative literature in an effort to increase social and political awareness needed to combat local issues while providing free books and healthy breakfast to the community. This month’s topic is black and indigenous solidarity regarding intertwined struggles against colonial and imperial power. All ages are welcome. For more information, check out the event page on Facebook and “like” Bay Area Dream Defenders: https://www.facebook.com/events/1791526794396809/?notif_t=plan_edited¬if_id=1473809722262516
- Saturday, Sep 24 National Feed the Hungry Event: Tampa @ 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
New Tampa Masjid Mosque
15830 Morris Bridge Rd
Tampa, FL 33592
A group of volunteers will be making 1,000 lunches for homeless shelters in Tampa. This event is an opportunity to get our community involved to feed the hungry and less fortunate in the area. If you’d like to volunteer, RSVP and contact team leader Hala Alkattan on Facebook. For more information, check out the event page on Facebook.
- Saturday, Sep 24 Film Screening: “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy” @ 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Neel Performing Arts Center
5840 26th St. W.
Bradenton., FL 34207
Filmmaker and journalist Greg Palast will be coming to State College of Florida (SCF) to present his latest film, “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: A Tale of Billionaires and Ballot Bandits.” Two screenings will be offered at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.. A discussion will follow the screening. Tickets are available at the door for $15 each. All students (SCF, USF, NCF, Ringling) will be admitted free with their student IDs. Proceeds benefit SCF’s film club, WMNF and WSLR. For more information, contact Delmar Jacobs at jacobsd@scf.edu or 941-752-5593.
- Monday, Sep 26 Presidential Debate Viewing Party @ 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
The Starlite Room
1001 Cocoanut Ave
Sarasota, FL 34236
Arrive at 7 p.m. to meet local candidates and gear up for the first general election debates of 2016 on the first floor of The Starlite Room. There will be an election bingo drinking game. This event is 18 years and older only. Message Shakira Sofer on Facebook to RSVP a table. For more information, check out the event page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1742044339403733/
- Tuesday, Sep 27 All Faiths Food Bank 2016 Child Hunger Summit @ 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium
801 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
Gain new insight on child hunger screening and improved responses to food security, child obesity, undernutrition and other diet related health conditions. Breakfast will be provided. Students have a $10 registration fee. For more information on CEO volunteer/community engagement events, contact VISTA@ncf.edu. For more information about the Child Hunger Summit, contact Jenna Jones at jjones@allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-549-8127.
- Thursday, Sep 29 Manatee County Board of Commissioners Meeting @ 9 a.m.
Commission Chambers
1112 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
The Manatee County Board of Commissioners is considering a request to rezone 3,595 acres from agriculture to phosphate mining. If approved this would allow the expansion of a phosphate mine in the Peace River watershed, likely damaging 649 acres of wetland habitat. NCF’s Council of Green Affairs (CGA) will be in attendance to let commissioners know that they care about our environment and do not support the rezoning request. Prepare comments ahead of time using these talking points: (http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=12972) If you wish to provide the commissioners with a written copy of your testimony, email it (www.mymanatee.org/home/government/board-of-commissioners/E-mail) before the Sept. 29 meeting. To RSVP and if you have questions, contact the Center of Biological Diversity’s Florida director Jaclyn Lopez at jlopez@biologicaldiversity.org. For information about carpooling to the event, e-mail CGA President Orion Morton at orion.morton13@ncf.edu.