Florida Social Justice Network
Florida Social Justice Network - a community involved in social justice advocacy
Shame on the City of Sanford!!!
So what's more dangerous, hundreds of unknown people descending on the Sanford Civic Center with guns or a couple of hundred poor and homeless local residents coming to register for government and social service?
If you are Sanford City Commissioner Art Woodruff, you are more afraid of the poor and homeless people. The Central Florida Homeless Services Network was scheduled to hold a 'Project Homeless Connect' there, where over 40 organizations would be providing information on resources. Yet City Council did not object to "Cliffhangers Gun Show's" from St. Augustine using the Civic Center for two days in June and September, even though they were teaching two concealed weapons classes a day on the premises (not to mention the gun show loop hole that allows non dealers to sell guns to each other in private sale and get around the 3 day wait).
According to the Sanford Herald Newspaper, Woodruff said he supports the idea of an event that brings together more than 40 organizations whose purpose is to help the chronically homeless by providing medical care, substance-abuse and mental-health counseling and many other vital services.
At the same time, Woodruff, like many others, feels 'residents' and business owners would be better served if the event were held outside the downtown business district.
Central Florida in 2008 is echoing 1963-1968 Birmingham and Memphis in just so many ways.
What Woodruff is saying is truly the same thing the community leaders in Birmingham were saying when Dr. King wrote his letter from the Birmingham Jail saying “Justice too long delayed is justice denied”. It is giving ascent to an economic caste system that says if you are poor or homeless you can’t be seen at the Sanford Civic Center. It is the same school of thought that in 1963-1968 said Negroes can’t sit and the Woolworth lunch counter, have to ride in the back of the bus, and have to remain in the back of the garbage truck when its raining whether it is safe or not.
I praise God that Northland Church and Pastor Joel Hunter are stepping in to host the event.
I really don’t quite know what to think about Cathy Jackson of the Homeless Services Network, suggesting holding a series of meetings to address ‘residents’ concerns. Apparently both she and Woodruff have forgotten the poor and homeless are residents too.
This kind of blatant discrimination is best met with direct action, like rallies, litigation, and protests. Let us remember the words of Deitrich Bonhoffer, written while sitting in prison in Nazi Germany
,
First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
We can not engage in appeasement in the face of this kind of economic injustice. The time for actions is NOW!
If you are Sanford City Commissioner Art Woodruff, you are more afraid of the poor and homeless people. The Central Florida Homeless Services Network was scheduled to hold a 'Project Homeless Connect' there, where over 40 organizations would be providing information on resources. Yet City Council did not object to "Cliffhangers Gun Show's" from St. Augustine using the Civic Center for two days in June and September, even though they were teaching two concealed weapons classes a day on the premises (not to mention the gun show loop hole that allows non dealers to sell guns to each other in private sale and get around the 3 day wait).
According to the Sanford Herald Newspaper, Woodruff said he supports the idea of an event that brings together more than 40 organizations whose purpose is to help the chronically homeless by providing medical care, substance-abuse and mental-health counseling and many other vital services.
At the same time, Woodruff, like many others, feels 'residents' and business owners would be better served if the event were held outside the downtown business district.
Central Florida in 2008 is echoing 1963-1968 Birmingham and Memphis in just so many ways.
What Woodruff is saying is truly the same thing the community leaders in Birmingham were saying when Dr. King wrote his letter from the Birmingham Jail saying “Justice too long delayed is justice denied”. It is giving ascent to an economic caste system that says if you are poor or homeless you can’t be seen at the Sanford Civic Center. It is the same school of thought that in 1963-1968 said Negroes can’t sit and the Woolworth lunch counter, have to ride in the back of the bus, and have to remain in the back of the garbage truck when its raining whether it is safe or not.
I praise God that Northland Church and Pastor Joel Hunter are stepping in to host the event.
I really don’t quite know what to think about Cathy Jackson of the Homeless Services Network, suggesting holding a series of meetings to address ‘residents’ concerns. Apparently both she and Woodruff have forgotten the poor and homeless are residents too.
This kind of blatant discrimination is best met with direct action, like rallies, litigation, and protests. Let us remember the words of Deitrich Bonhoffer, written while sitting in prison in Nazi Germany
,
First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
We can not engage in appeasement in the face of this kind of economic injustice. The time for actions is NOW!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pastor Brian on -
there was a time when people felt safe, and everyone was a human being, of course we have always had bigotrys, most of them religiously motivated. when they told people that indians were bad people shrugged when they tagged them as satanic people rose up in fear and destroyed thier culture thinking they were serving a higher purpose, when slaves were oppressed they were determined to be soulless thus justifying from again a religious point of view. now its the homeless being demonized and how did that evolve, yes religion once again. in the last 30 years a new age christian movement called charasmatic created a belief that if you are saved you will live a life of peace and prosperity. the adverse side to that is if you are not blessed in material goods and life you must either not have faith or serve the devil. that creates a lack of empathy toward people, it denies humanity and creates an us verses the darkness perception of life. the fact that this belief is a subtle deception is disregarde by those who have, and very depressing to those who don't, and has no love in it should be warning enough that there is something wrong with it. that victims deserve their suffering is so rediculous it would be laughable if mainstrem america didn't embrace it with a passion. i could go on and on but i will be good for now you see i still believe there is enough real goodness left in america to make a difference
pastor brian
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