2009 Events

Vets Speak In


Tuesday January 27th at 7:00PM
At the Civic Media Center, 102 W University

The purpose of the Speak In
is to educate the public about the War in iraq
through the personal experiences of our veterans
and to provide a forum for Veterans
The Public is invited to listen and Iraq Vets are invited
to speak

Memorial Mile Display 2009

8th Avenue and 34th Street NW, May 23, 24, 25

News coverage
Gainesville Sun:

May 24th  His Long War Ron Cunningham
May 24th      Tombstones are a Reminder of Wars Still Being FoughtCindy Swirko

May 30th     Letters to the Editor   Bill Salmon
Sherrie Hunter      Sara Meeks

Independent Florida Alligator
May 26th   Veterans Honor Fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan

Cost of War & A Soldiers Promise photos and write-up by Rose S Williams

Blogs:
Ice Station Tango  Jay Albrittain  Buck Naked Politics   Deb Cupples

Sheverb

              ********************
Introducing the Fine Print

A Welcome addition to the Gainesville Community
The Fine Print is a new progressive UF student monthly Publication In the January edition you can read Courage to Resist
Meet two IVAW members Anthony and Jorge,
Marines who are refusing to reactivate and return to fight again
in the “Global War on Terror”


Heath Care Not Warfare Demo
Well Received

Update for Tuesday August 25th:

Picket number two was held on University and 13th right next to UF campus at peak afternoon traffic time. It is the regular spot for VFP to picket against the war for the last 6 years. A good crowd showed up with an changing cast of demonstrators before and after the afternoon rainstorm that came about half way through. More UUs showed up before the rain and after we saw students from UF representing Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) alongside the regulars from Veterans for peace and the labor party and assorted citizens including some UF faculty and Sierra Club members. Thanks to all of you who joined the picket. Great signs and great company! I chatted with the students, several of whom said they were uninsured, and we discussed the hazards for young people of having no health insurance as they try to make a start on their careers. As the sign on the web album shows young people make up 60% of the uninsured. We were well received again with lots of passers by responding positively to our presence and our signs. You will see some additional photos uploaded on the web album shown above.

Tuesday August 18th:
Over two dozen people braved the hot August temperatures and traffic to demonstrate for Health care reform and against War tuesday August 18 at the intersection of 34th Street and Archer Road.

Groups represented included Veterans for Peace Gainesville Chapter 14 who sponsored the “Health Care not Warfare” picket and displayed their Cost of War Signs which showed taxes paid for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and how much health care those same taxes would buy for uninsured and under-insured Americans. The Vets were joined by the Alachua County labor party who support HRS 676 bill for single payer Universal health care, also known as Medicare for all. This bill will be debated and voted on in the House this Fall along with other proposals for health care reform. Various members of local groups including members of the Unitarian Fellowship also joined the demonstration to address the moral issues involved citing the golden rule and other biblical quotes as they pertain to health care.

Spirits were high and the demonstrators were for the most part well received with lots of motorists responding to the “Honk for Affordable Health Care” sign waved by one member of Vets for Peace. Look for the appearance of these demonstrators again on a street corner near you!

 

Winter Solstice Concert

Saturday December 19th, 2009, 8:00PM
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
4225 NW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL, 32605 

Click the photo below for more pictures

Featuring Drums of Peace

John Chambers, Lauren Robinson,
John and Raven Smith,
The Annasemble, The Relics,
A Choir of Heavenly Semi-Angels
and more!

Veterans for Peace

Gainesville Sun Article