On May 1st, we take action to stand against billionaire exploitation and corporate domination. Working people, parents, students, and community members will rise in every corner of the country to fight for dignity, justice, and public investment in our lives—not in billionaire empires. JOIN US!

While Mike Haridopolos didn't make it to Tuesday's Grassroots Town Hall, his cardboard cutout made quite the impression.... silent, stationary, and unresponsive to the needs of his constituents!

The real star of Tuesday night wasn’t the cardboard cutout but the crowd. The Heritage Center was alive with over 240 passionate constituents, standing united to voice their concerns over Republican proposals to cut Social Security, Medicaid, VA benefits, and even eliminate the Department of Education. The real Mike Haridopolos will be receiving a detailed paper outlining every concern raised at the town hall, ensuring that no voice goes unheard. 

Thanks to everyone who attended and the incredible efforts of organizer, Rebecca Carswell, the event was a resounding success!

Last Friday a 20-year-old gunman used his mother’s unsecured firearm to kill two people and wound five more on Tallahassee’s FSU campus. We continue to grieve with the victims, their families and the entire FSU community.

On Sunday, in response to unease over snipers on the roof at the Riverside Park Easter event, the police chief said, “It's just a sign of the unfortunate times that we're dealing with in our country..."

Bullets are now the number one killer of America’s children. And we do not have to simply accept threats of gun violence in our community as normal. There are proven policies to reduce gun violence and bills have been introduced to enact these policies. Our elected leaders are on the wrong side of this issue. 

Congressman Haridopolos has cosponsored H.R. 221 to abolish the ATF, the one agency charged with holding rogue gun dealers who arm criminals accountable and prohibiting illegal firearms sales. He has also cosponsored H.R. 335 to repeal the National Firearms Act which imposes restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, automatic machine guns, and silencers.

Republicans have also introduced a state concealed carry reciprocity bill in both the U.S. House and Senate. This bill would infringe on states' rights to set their own gun laws and override all state large capacity magazine bans. Our Congressman Mike Haridopolos has already cosponsored the bill in the House and Senator Rick Scott has cosponsored the bill in the Senate. 

Our elected officials were not elected by America’s arms industry. They were elected by the people. Yet they continue to take actions to endanger our lives by working to put the deadliest weapons in the youngest hands, dismantle the ATF and legalize automatic weapons instead of cosponsoring bills to protect us from gun violence such as those which would require secure firearm storage.

It’s time for our elected officials in Tallahassee and members of Congress to stop working for the gun lobby and start working for Floridians. 

The state of Florida kidnapped an American citizen, violating both his rights and a court order. On Wednesday, U.S.-born American citizen Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol and held in the Leon County Jail for over 24 hours. At a hearing, a Leon County judge said she “did not have jurisdiction” to release him. He has since been released. 

In addition, Florida Atlantic University—whose Harbor Branch campus is located in Indian River County—has, in response to the governor’s Feb. 19th directive, requested a partnership between FAU police and ICE. This would allow FAU police to stop, question, and detain students they believe might be undocumented. This request is part of the ICE 287(g) program, which delegates that authority to local police agencies.

The recent $1 billion cut by the Trump administration to federal food programs is expected to hit Indian River County hard. The Indian River County School District, which benefited from funding to provide fresh, locally sourced food in school cafeterias, warns that maintaining fresh food options will be challenging. These funds helped supply fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat for student meals, and without them, food quality and variety may decline.

The Treasure Coast Food Bank, which serves Indian River County, also faces major setbacks. It previously received $3.5 million through these programs to help feed 250,000 people weekly. With that support gone, the food bank will likely have to rely more on processed foods, even as food insecurity continues to rise in the region. One in five Florida children is food insecure, and community leaders warn there are no alternative resources that can fully replace the lost federal funding.

“Statewide, this will affect a million children,” said Judith Cruz, CEO of the Treasure Coast Food Bank. The Treasure Coast Food Bank partners with roughly 300 other nonprofits to feed its clients, whom it calls “neighbors.” Without the USDA funding, there won't be enough donations from charities and retailers to feed the community, Cruz said.

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Education Champions Monthly Meeting
2nd Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Date: May 6, 2025
Time: 10:30am
Location: 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949
Details:

Join us for a field trip to St. Lucie Aquarium with Scott Jones! Tickets can be purchased at the aquarium. Visit their website for more details HERE Please RSVP to [email protected].