Home » About » Newsletters » December 2002
Chapter Happenings Across the State
December 2002 Edition of the ACLU of Florida Newsletter
Broward: Congressman Alcee Hastings will be the featured speaker at the chapter's annual meeting at 1 p.m. January 18 at the new African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 1409 Sistrunk Blvd., in Ft.Lauderdale. For more information, contact Chapter Chair Barry Butin at 954-463-7669. Aside from organizing the upcoming annual meeting, the chapter also has been busy working with other organizations to build a coalition to lobby the Broward County Commission to pass a resolution repealing some of the more odious provisions of the USA Patriot Act. On October 12, the chapter organized a USA Patriot Act seminar featuring New York attorney Lynne Stewart.
Jacksonville: More than 100 people attended the Greater Jacksonville Chapter's 2nd rendition of Songs of Protest, Revolution, and Audacity! ? an evening of folk music, humor, and eclectic fun featuring more than a dozen local singers, poets, and raconteurs. The performances, combined with the chapter's annual election meeting, were held at the FUEL Coffeehoue on October 23, 2002. On November 16, the chapter joined with State Rep. Joyce Cusak to co-sponsor a civil rights restoration meeting for ex-felons in Volusia County. On September 13, Rev. Barry Lynn spoke on separation of church and state issues at a standing-room-only community event co-sponsored by the Jacksonville Chapter and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. For more information on chapter activities, contact chair Ken Hurley via e-mail at ACLUjax@attbi.com.
Miami: The chapter's Bill of Rights Dinner honoring Gene Miller, Rev. Dr. Jimmie Brown and Bess McElroy will be December 6 at the Palms Hotel, 3025 Collins Avenue. Miami Herald Columnist Jim Defede will be the guest speaker. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. The chapter also will present Rosie O'Donnell with the Maurice Rosen Act of Courage Award. Tickets are $65. Call 305-297-0220 for reservations.
Orlando: The annual election meeting is scheduled for February 22. The location and exact time of the event is TBA. For more information, call chapter president Angela Ross at 407-310-7272. She can also be reached via e-mail at agbrooks@cfl.rr.com.
Pinellas: The Pinellas ACLU Annual Bill of Rights Dinner will be held on December 5 at Banquet Masters II, Tampa Bay Conference Center, 6152 126th Avenue, in Largo, Fla. The cash bar reception begins at 6:30 p.m.; board elections will be at 7:00 p.m.; dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. During the event, the chapter will honor Myrtle Smith-Carroll with the Gardner W. Beckett Jr. Civil Liberties Award. St. Petersburg Times columnist Martin A. Dyckman will be presented with the Vigilance in Journalism Award. For more information, contact Chapter Chair Paul Pohlman via e-mail at ppohlman@poynter.org or by phone at 727-867-6014. You may also visit http://metrodirect.net/aclu/. In other outreach activities, the chapter sponsored a Spring Potluck Fund-raising Dinner at the home of Adrien and Edward Helm. Volunteers staffed ACLU booths at the annual Circus McGurkus festival in October and the St. Petersburg Times Reading Festival in November.
Sarasota: Howard Simon will be the featured speaker at the chapter's annual meeting at 2 p.m. December 21 at the Fruitville Road Public Library, 100 Coburn Road, in Sarasota. For more information, contact Frank Dunn via e-mail at fjdkdunn@aol.com or by phone at 941-379-8103.
Tampa: Thanks to the chapter's increased visibility in the community, membership has soared to 950. The chapter's vice-chairperson, Mike Pheneger, has spoken extensively on the USA Patriot Act. Monthly chapter meetings have offered some very interesting speakers, including Juan Melendez, the 24th person freed from Florida's death row. This year's annual meeting will be held in January. Exact date, time and speakers TBA. Details about meetings and other happenings can be found on the chapter's new website, maintained by Board member, Jack Walters, at www.aclutampa.org. The new phone number is (813) 227-9877.
