7th Ave
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Monday, February 19, 2024
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UN experts condemn ‘credible’ reports of executions, sexual assault by Israeli soldiers
A group of United Nations human rights experts denounced the Israeli military on Monday for “credible” allegations of execution and sexual assault against Palestinians in Gaza.
The independent experts affiliated with the U.N. Human Rights Council said the allegations constitute “egregious human rights violations,” adding to criticisms of the Israeli war effort in Gaza as its military reportedly prepares a ground invasion of Rafah.
Israel sets Ramadan deadline for feared Rafah invasion
Israeli officials appear to have set a deadline to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah — the largest refugee camp in the coastal territory — for the Muslim holy day of Ramadan on March 10.
Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war Cabinet, delivered an ultimatum at a Sunday event with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, an umbrella group for the American Jewish community.
“The world must know — and Hamas leaders must know — that if by Ramadan the hostages are not home, then the fighting will continue, including in Rafah,” Gantz said at the event.
Downtown River Arts - Keys in the Park: A Melodic Duel
Keys in the Park
A Melodic Duel
Friday March 15: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Keys in the Park is a quarterly program that will take place at the Square in Lykes Gaslight Park to service the Downtown River Arts Neighborhood in Tampa’s Downtown.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of musical magic at "Keys in the Park: A Melodic Duel" happening in the heart of Tampa's Downtown! Experience the thrill of dueling pianos as talented musicians go head-to-head, tickling the ivories and playing your favorite songs. Set against the stunning backdrop of our city's vibrant downtown, this lively event is perfect for music lovers of all ages. So grab a blanket, bring your friends and family, and immerse yourself in an evening filled with laughter, creativity, and the joy of live music. Get ready to tap your feet, sing along, and create cherished memories at "Keys in the Park: A Melodic Duel"!
Advocates call on Biden to meet with congressional leaders on racial justice initiatives
A host of racial justice organizations is teaming up with Democrats in sending an open letter to President Biden demanding the White House help advance racial equity bills.....Read More
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BEWARE: Why Trump is now a danger to national security
Even if Donald Trump is not re-elected to the presidency, there is now cause for grave concern for the security of the United States.
Trump has more reason than before to put the United States at risk for his own gain, his former fixer Michael Cohen is warning. Trump is about to find himself incredibly short on cash, and his ex-attorney is afraid he’ll see this as an impetus to sell U.S. defense information or other national security data to hostile entities.
Sunday, February 18, 2024
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2023 Sydney Eastman Courage Award: Julio Rodriguez
Hello fellow Stogie readers,
I am honored to present my 2023 Sydney Eastman Courage Award to Julio Rodriguez!
At first, when I offered to present Julio with the award, he said “no!” … However, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving. Julio is the founder of the Ybor City Stogie, a committed activist on behalf of marginalized groups such as Tampa’s homeless community, which he memorializes with his photography.
I met Julio during (per memory) a bus trip to a Fight for 15 rally, in Orlando (again, per memory). This man fights for what he believes in, whether that is an important issue that affects those with less, or advocating on behalf of candidates who are dedicated to empowering the people like Pat Kemp & Max Frost.
Additionally, Julio’s courageous acts led him to helping me drive a 20-foot U-Haul, towing my old Chevy, with myself, two cats, and a hedgehog ALL THE WAY up from Tampa, FL to Bennington, VT. If that isn’t the act of a friend, the act of a courageous individual who CONSISTENTLY puts others before himself, I don’t know what is… Julio embodies the courageous spirit that I saw in Syd Eastman when I met with her all those years ago back at Nikos Diner in East Tampa. I hope you will join me in congratulating Julio, as well as the Tampa Five and Rep. AOC, while remembering Syd Eastman as the symbol for courage in activism, and beyond.
Stay groovy,
Asher
Florida bill could establish ‘fetal personhood’
The Florida Senate is on the way to passing a bill that critics say would establish “fetal personhood” in civil liability cases.
But Democrats and critics of the bill argued it’s a roundabout way of creating fetal personhood, a belief that a fetus should be recognized as a legal and moral person with rights, often including the right to life, from the moment of conception.
Lions and Tigers and Nuclear Space Weapons, Oh My!
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Chinese and Indian counterparts at a conference in Munich, Germany, on Friday and Saturday, trying to convince them to talk to Russian officials about not putting a nuclear weapon in space, according to The New York Times.....Read More
Saturday, February 17, 2024
2023 Sydney Eastman Courage Award: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
I'd like to give the 2023 Sydney Eastman Courage Award to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Rarely do you find a Representative in Congress who thinks beyond the bounds of their own district and beyond the count of votes they need to win re-election. Rarely do you find a Representative who is aware that what is good for the whole country is good for each individual in their constituency. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of those rare individuals. She is a shining example of a public servant with the sound moral, unwavering principles our country so sorely needs right now. While our government teeters on the edge of authoritarianism, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stands with the wisdom and a sense of purpose to advocate for the ideals of freedom and justice our democracy truly represents.
2023 Sydney Eastman Courage Award: The Tampa 5
My Sydney Eastman Courage Award for 2023 goes to the Tampa 5. While exercising their right to free speech at the USF campus, Chrisley Carpio, Gia Davila, Jeanie Kida, Lauren Pinero and Laura Rodriguez, among other protestors were brutally assaulted by the USF Police. These five courageous women were unjustly arrested on felony charges that were fabricated in order to justify the illegal actions of the police.
Facing 10 years of incarceration if found guilty, the Tampa 5 were offered a plea deal that would have required them to publicly apologize for crimes they never committed. Standing in unity, they refused to offer this bogus apology and demanded a trial by jury. All of the video evidence that was available showed clearly that the USF Police were the instigators of the violence and that the protestors never acted aggressively toward their assaulters and on the first day of the trial, the Florida State Attorney, Ashley Moody, dropped all felony charges against the Tampa 5.
Their courage makes the Tampa 5 ideal recipients of the Sydney Eastman Courage Award.
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