GOING INTO BATTLE WITH FEAR This Saturday will find me standing in the hot Florida sun in front of the Starke/Raiford prison complex. Florida State Prison and New River "Correctional" Institution will be under my watchful gaze as I visualize peace. Why?Because I know much of the truth, enough to know it would be shameful for me, as an American dedicated to justice, as a human being dedicated to the spirit, as a grandmother whose babies could be sucked into the horrible existence of a prisoner or his keeper, to comfortably sit in my home with a clear conscience.
I go there because a non-violent man like Mr. Gary Brooks Waid, traded by the Feds like a slave on an auction block, now has to live in Florida's miserable, disgusting excuse for a "Correctional" system.
I go for all the inmates who have experienced things I pray I will never witness, and I go for the guards, many of them children, who have in their hands the responsibility of keeping the nation's prisoners. I weep for the damage we do.
I'll be there because it is the first anniversary of the Murder by Errant Guards of Mr. Frank Valdes (July 17th, 1999). One of the guards, Montez Lucas goes to trial in August for beating Frank Valdes the day before his actual murder (July 16th). I want the memory of the horror of Mr. Valdes' autopsy report to remain in the mind of the public as the alleged murderers in uniform stand for their judgment. I go there to remind the families that it could happen to their loved ones if change isn't imminent, and to urge the public to get involved.
Because his death began my vigils, and his death is the reason for the MAKE THE WALLS TRANSPARENT project (http://www.zyworld.com/kay~lee/garywaid.htm). His death has become an intricale part of my personal Journey for Justice. If Mr. Valdes' death results in the emergence of the truth, then his life was not in vain.
I'll be there because it's the right thing to do...
TWO MILLION FAMILIES, TOO LITTLE RESISTANCEAs July 15th, the day for the nationwide PRUP Prison Vigils (http://www.geocities.com/lwop1981/prup.htm ) draws nigh, I am sensing the age old desire to retreat from the struggle in fear. Many of those who know there is a reason to be in front of a prison are getting weak knees. Believe me, I know enough about the system to understand the emotion. I feel it too, but the difference is that I've learned to control it so that it does not immobilize me.
You cannot win a war for justice if you go into battle for truth waving the flag of surrender. If you retreat the minute the enemy turns it's ugly head in your direction, it is almost worse than if you had never stood at all. It gives those who minister to the lies a sense of security that is dangerous to those you care about.
Every false start will only make the real start harder. The boy who cried wolf wasn't believed when it was the real thing. The suicide who threatens to take his life isn't believed until he is dead. The guards, the prison officials, the DOC or BOP, none of them are going to believe the real battle has begun when we've threatened to do battle for our inmates, have every reason to do battle for their human rights, but back off when the front line reaches them. Then when the abuse has gone too far and we HAVE to make the stand, our struggle will be much harder.
The attitude of fear pervading this prison situation reminds me of Winston Churchill's statement:
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed;
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly;
You may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.
There may be even a worse fate:
You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory because it is better to perish than to live as slaves."As one of the inmates, Stuart Pomerantz, agreed, "Procrastination is my enemy!"
We've already made it harder by waiting so long. How much longer are we willing to wait? An inmate's fair question, "How much worse does it have to get before it's time?" must be answered.THE BATTLEGROUND IN FLORIDA
For a solid year, I have joined forces with the Cannabis Action Network's First Amendment rights team (http://www.jug-or-not.com). They have taught me how to take back lost ground using Starke as the training ground. We have learned that there is no law in Florida to prevent you from being on the right-of-way, by the side of the road, at the entrance to the prison. We have learned that you can take pictures of whatever "scenery" is on either side of the public roadway. We have learned that authorities will try to bluff you, quoting laws that are not laws, and policies that don't exist. It is up to you if you want to give them extra power and authority over you that the Law doesn't give them.
If they tell me to leave, my answer is no. If they arrest me, they will have to prove in court what gave them that authority. If they take my camera, they will face theft, intimidation, and suppression charges. If I choose to make music or eat on the lawn or release a thousand balloons, they will have to produce the ordinances that do not exist.
You may do what you want, run when you want, but I will not loose the ground I've worked so hard to take. This madness must be stopped and the time is now!
I am part of a peaceful stand, as I'm sure all of you are. But peaceful does NOT mean weak, cowardly, meek, or bending to threats, lies, and intimidation. I will be praying for the courage that I know resides in all of you.
Vigils in Florida include:
******************************************
KAY LEE 321-253-3673
klee@vitel.tzo.com
Hwy 16
FLORIDA STATE PRISON STARKE, FLORIDAScott Bledsoe, Jodi James, and Kevin Aplin will attend.
Directions to Starke Prison Complex:
From East: SR-16, 11 miles west of Starke on left. I will be at the entrance to the complex on the right-of-way, beside the road after 2:00.From North: (Macclenny) SR-121 south approximately 17 miles to SR-16 (before town of Raiford). Turn left onto SR-16. Go approximately 3 miles, cross New River Bridge.
The Institution is on the right.From South: US-301 north approximately 35 miles north of Gainesville to Starke. Turn left onto SR-16 (Raiford Road) (West), go approximately 11 miles. The Institution is on the left.
From West (Lake City):SR-100 approximately 23 miles to SR-121 (Lake Butler), turn left, go approximately 6 miles, just outside town of Raiford turn right (east) onto SR-16. Go approximately 3 miles, cross New River Bridge. The Institution is on the right.
******************************************************
Bob Quail (727)347-6245
BQUAIL420@aol.comJohn Chase, November Coalition will attend Zepherhills.
Mark Harris will join them.ZEPHYRHILLS 'CORRECTIONAL' INSTITUTION
US 301 (2739 Gall Boulevard)
ZEPHYRHILLS, Florida
Directions: From I-4, go north on US-301. Institution is on the left
(one mile south of Zephyrhills city limits).Begin to arrive between 2 and 3:00 pm
local media is sending a crew
out to CCI at Zephyrhills for coverage
*******************************************************************
ELLIE MADISON AND FRIENDS 954-776-2682
EMad102785@cs.comFDC in Miami, florida.
Channel 5 is located across the street and will be there.
Directions for FDC - Miami: I 95 to the Miami Arena exit with is 8th street. . FDC is on the South side of the Miami Arena. You can park in the lot right across from FDC which is also next door to Channel 6 Miami.
**********************************************************************MARY ELLEN PAGE 904-794-2893
VPgardenia@aol.com
NEW RIVER 'CORRECTIONAL' INSTITUTION
Hwy 16
RAIFORD, FLORIDADIRECTIONS: From West (Lake City): SR-100 approximately 23 miles to
SR-121 (Lake Butler), turn left, go approximately 6 miles, just
outside town of Raiford turn right (east) onto SR-16. Go
approximately 3 miles, cross New River Bridge. East Unit is on the
left.From the North: From 1-10 take SR-121 south exit in Macclenny for
approximately 19 miles to SR-16 East. Make a left turn and go
approximately 2.5 miles and cross the New River bridge. East Unit in
on the left.From the South: Take US-301 to SR-16. Go west approximately 11
miles. East Unit is on the right.****************************************************************
LILLIAN CUNNINGHAM 941-776-2682
lildonc@gls3c.com
lildonc@voyager.gls3c.com
so if possible I will go to Sharpes on Saturday.****************************************************************
CHERYL HUTCHINSON 561-432-2445
cherih46@bellsouth.net
FDC
MIAMI, Florida****************************************************************
I am going to Mayo Florida, Mayo CCI
which is not too far from Gainsville,
probably about 20 miles south of there.
Debra DeLaura delaura6@gte.net
****************************************************************
CHERYLYN MORGAN with FLIP
(Families With Loved Ones in Prison)
morgancr@hotmail.comTAYLOR 'CORRECTIONAL' INSTITUTION
PERRY, FLoridaDirections: Hwy-27 to US-98 and turn west for 3 ½ miles to CR-356
and turn left (south) for 6 miles. The facility is on the left.****************************************************************
LORI PATTEN 407-654-1127 (tentative?)
PennPal2000@aol.comChurch Station (?)
*********************************************************************
Rita Lucey
Orlando, FL 32809
Rlucey8812@aol.com**********************************************************************
Susan Bernstein
Palm City, FL 34990
Jbrace492@cs.com**********************************************************************
I plan to go to Taylor CI on July 15.
Cherylyn Morgan connect_threads@hotmail.com**********************************************************************
There will also be people at the Palm Beach County
Jail. Anyone who has a loved one in either a State
or Federal Prison can contact
Scott Wolfson - Public Relations for the BOP
Cheryl Hutchinson Cherih46@bellsouth.net**********************************************************************
The Hernando Chapter will probably be at the
local women's prison in Spring Hill
--that's Joanne, Peggy, Linda, Peg, Joan, and Jean.
Lois Morgan logos_1@msn.com**********************************************************************
Also Linda R. will be at Marion C. I.
Lois Morgan logos_1@msn.com**********************************************************************
Lori will be in Orlando somewhere,
maybe Church Street Station.
Lois Morgan logos_1@msn.com**********************************************************************
Going to Marion County C I. anyone else???
Wishing every peace from Peacefinders
Linda Rozar peacefinders@aol.com**********************************************************************
PEOPLE NEEDING PRISONS
***
Will there be something like this in Miami, too?
Christina juice999@mindspring.com
***
My wife and I would be interested in participating
in any coordinated events in the Tampa Bay area.
If there are any events, could you let us know?
Joshua Jgreben@admin.usf.edu
***
We have a State Banner here in Tallahassee. I'm certain I could get a couple of other people to hold it for 90 minutes at the Governor's Mansion here in Tallahassee. I'd rather just chime in if a real organizer/organization is doing something,
but count me in if there is no one else.
Kim koconnor@lab.caw.fsu.edu
Tallahassee, FL (850) 576-7870
***
Is anyone out there going to a prison in Dade
that I might join up with. Please email:
Ellie emad102785@compuserve.com
***
Please e-mail me. On July 15, is this demonstration to be at every prison or just those with death rows?
Linda legallin@bellsouth.net
***
I live in Winter Haven Florida. Please let me know
where I can reach someone in my area.
Thanks, Carmen Vastdune@aol.com
***
I live in Florida and if there is a way I can become more involved in these issues, please let me know. Thanks, In Spirit and Strength!
Sage sageowl1@hotmail.com
***
Thank you and I am glad to be abroad :-)
I am in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Angelique ANTEEGONY@aol.com
***
I saw your e-mail address on the back of a truck
in St. Petersburg, Florida. Need more info.
RThedwarf@aol.com
***
I'm willing to be at Mayo CI if there are at least4-5 people. Otherwise, I'll come back to Gainesville. Keep me posted.
God Bless,
Viva brownve@shands.ufl.edu
***
I know several of you on the list from Mayo C.I.
and I would be willing to demonstrate there if we can
get enough people---
Lois logos_1@msn.com
***
I would like to participate in the PRUP2000 on 7/15 but am not sure how | or where I should go. Can you tell me if anyone will be meeting at a facility close to Citrus County, FL?
Susan susanbou@webtv.net
***
Brooks family in Florida who may be interested in a
vigil at one of Florida`s prisons for PRUP.
e-mail: unitcharger@earthlink.net
***
God Willing so I'll see you there
Love Julia julia@mail.ebbs.com.au
***
I know of no other person in Tampa involved in the fight,
so it'll just be me and my 16 year old daughter Jennifer, unless
you can direct some other people my way, so we can organize
and protest together....
Elke Ladybug779@aol.com
***
I live in St. Petersburg Fl.
Beth E James bjbr@juno.com
***
**********************************************************************FEEL THE POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT ON JULY 15TH!
Kay Lee
715-831-0076
kayleeusa@yahoo.com
