BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Florida Free Speech Forum - ECPv6.17.5//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Florida Free Speech Forum X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Florida Free Speech Forum REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20200101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240408T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240408T130000 DTSTAMP:20240401T210910Z CREATED:20240326T203904Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T210910Z UID:785-1712575800-1712581200@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Brechner Center's 2024 Freedom of Information Award: Miami Herald Investigative Team DESCRIPTION:March 11th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nwith Miami Herald investigative journalists Sarah Blaskey\, Joey Flechas\, and Casey Frank\nPlease register by Monday\, April 1st.\n \nThree investigative journalists from The Miami Herald will discuss their award-winning reporting about Miami corruption at a public luncheon April 8 in Gainesville hosted by the Florida Free Speech Forum. The Miami Herald won the annual 2024 Brechner Freedom of Information Award for “Shakedown City\,” an investigation into government shenanigans within the city of Miami that spawned a series of investigations by the FBI\, Internal Revenue Service\, Securities and Exchange Commission and state ethics commission. The award is administered by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. \nThe journalists submitted more than 150 public records requests and battled almost daily with city attorneys when the requests were ignored. The Herald’s document-based reporting revealed that Mayor Francis Suarez secretly received $170\,000 from a developer\, and used his clout to secure 13 side jobs\, including for crypto-related ventures\, encouraging staff to convert paychecks to digital tokens. The Miami Herald also won a Brechner FOI Award in 2016 for an investigation into Florida’s child-welfare system\, and in 2007 for illegal case-sealing practices in the Broward court system. \nSpeakers will include:\nSarah Blaskey\, investigative reporter\nJoey Flechas\, City of Miami reporter\nCasey Frank\, senior investigations editor. \n\nFORMAT\n  \n\nCone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue\n11:30 – Lunch\n12:00 – Presentation begins\nRegistration deadline – Mon\, April 1st\n\n  \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/brechner-centers-2024-freedom-of-information-award-miami-herald-investigative-team/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Copy-of-2018-Buddy-Davis-Speech.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240311T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240311T130000 DTSTAMP:20240304T221013Z CREATED:20240226T043428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240304T221013Z UID:777-1710156600-1710162000@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Guaranteeing the Right to Vote in Alachua County DESCRIPTION:March 11th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nwith Aaron Klein\, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office\nPlease register by Monday\, March 4th.\n \n\nBIO\nAaron Klein was born and raised in Tampa Mr. Klein is a UF graduate with a BA and MA in Political Science. Before coming back to Alachua County in 2021 he was a communications specialist in Palm Beach County. \n\nFORMAT\n \n\nCone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue\n11:30 – Lunch\n12:00 – Presentation begins\nRegistration deadline – Mon\, March 4th\n\n \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/guaranteeing-the-right-to-vote-in-alachua-county/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Picture-Aaron-Klein.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240212T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240212T130000 DTSTAMP:20240205T220327Z CREATED:20240119T221424Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240205T220327Z UID:767-1707737400-1707742800@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:LGBTQ Dynamics in Society and the Role of DE&I DESCRIPTION:Feb 12th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nwith Gina Duncan\, Equality Florida’s Regional Development Leader for Central Florida\nPlease register by Monday\, Feb 5th.\n \n\nABSTRACT\nA discussion of LGBTQ rights and protections in society and in the workplace\, the impacts of recent anti-LGBTQ legislation\, and the pivotal role of DE&I initiatives in preserving an inclusive society. \nBIO\nGina Duncan was a corporate leader in the Mortgage Banking industry in Florida for over 30 years. She was with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage from 1997 to 2011\, and served as their Area Manager of Central Florida\, and then promoted to Regional Manager for East Florida\, overseeing 26 branches\, over 250 employees and a multimillion-dollar budget. Gina has also served in leadership roles with the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in Central Florida\, the PRIDE Chamber. Gina was the first elected transgender President of a major Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Gina Duncan served as the state Director of Equality Florida’s Transgender Inclusion Initiative\, TransAction Florida\, from 2014 to 2021. She oversaw a statewide movement comprised of a 1\,200+ person advocacy network and led by the TransAction Florida Advisory Council\, advocating for transgender rights and protections through public policy\, advocacy and educational efforts statewide. She now serves as Equality Florida’s Strategic Partnerships Manager\, providing information and resources to our Florida business community. \nGina was chosen as one of the 100 LGBT Movers and Shakers in Florida (2015)\, has received the Equality Florida Lifetime Achievement Award (2021)\, Orlando LGBT Center’s Trail Blazer Award (2017)\, the Diversity Champion’s Award by the Florida Diversity Council (2016)\, the Debbie Simmons Community Excellence Award at Come Out with Pride in 2018\, and the Pride Chamber’s prestigious Community Champion of the Year\, 2019. She has been featured on the cover of Orlando Weekly\, Watermark and Florida Trend magazines. Gina was presented the coveted Equality Florida Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. \n\nFORMAT\n \n\nCone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue\n11:30 – Lunch\n12:00 – Presentation begins\nRegistration deadline – Mon\, Feb 5th\n\n \nRegistration\nRegistration for this event is now closed. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/lgbtq-dynamics-in-society-and-the-role-of-dei/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Duncan-Headshot.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240108T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240108T130000 DTSTAMP:20240102T032113Z CREATED:20231211T191537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240102T032113Z UID:760-1704713400-1704718800@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Innovations in Computing for the Social Good DESCRIPTION:Jan 8th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nPlease register by Monday\, Jan 1st.\n \n\nABSTRACT\nSociety does not have a shortage of problems. As such\, computing can be seen as an instrument to address many of society’s issues if only researchers could integrate technology with people\, culture\, policy and more. In this talk\, Dr. Gilbert will discuss how his Computing for Social Good research lab has developed innovation solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems. Dr. Gilbert will give demonstrations of some technologies that are being used in the real world and available for others to adopt. \nBIO\nDr. Juan E. Gilbert is the Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor and Chair of the Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department at the University of Florida where he leads the Computing for Social Good Lab. Dr. Gilbert has research projects in election security/usability/accessibility\, advanced learning technologies\, usability and accessibility\, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)\, Human-Centered AI/machine learning and Ethnocomputing (Culturally Relevant Computing). \nHe has published more than 250 articles\, given more than 250 talks and obtained more than $30 million dollars in research funding. He is a Fellow of the ACM\, IEEE\, the American Association of the Advancement of Science and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. In 2012\, Dr. Gilbert received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science\, Mathematics\, and Engineering Mentoring from President Barack Obama. \nIn 2023\, Dr. Gilbert was named a laureate of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Joe Biden for pioneering and championing universal design in elections technology to make voting accessible for everyone and increasing diversity in the computer science workforce. He also received the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2014 Mentor Award. He received the 2021 ACM SIGCHI Social Impact Award. Dr. Gilbert received the 2018 Computer Research Association’s A. Nico Habermann Award. Dr. Gilbert has testified before the Congress on the Bipartisan Electronic Voting Reform Act of 2008 and the U.S. House Committee on Administration for the “2020 Election Security – Perspectives from Voting System Vendors and Experts” \nDr. Gilbert received his BS in Systems Analysis from Miami University in Ohio and his MS and PhD degrees in computer science from the University of Cincinnati. \n\nFORMAT\n \n\nCone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue\n11:30 – Lunch\n12:00 – Presentation begins\nRegistration deadline – Mon\, Jan 1st\n\n \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/innovations-in-computing-for-the-social-good/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2015-12-10_Juan_Gilbert_preeminence_portrait-6438-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231211T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231211T130000 DTSTAMP:20231210T134743Z CREATED:20231202T014422Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231210T134743Z UID:752-1702294200-1702299600@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Fast and Furious: Florida’s Relentless Assault on Free Speech DESCRIPTION:Nov 13th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nPlease register by Monday\, Nov 6th.\n \n\nSpeaker Bio\nBobby Block\, Executive Director\, First Amendment Foundation \nBobby Block has had a four-decade career in journalism\, including contributing to the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of 9/11\, which earned a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News in 2002. \nHe co-authored the book “Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security\,” and has reported on various conflicts across the globe\, including Rwandan genocide in 1994\, and the executions of more than 8\,000 men and boys by Serbian forces in a Bosnian village in 1995. \n“Never has the work of the Foundation been more essential than it is now at a time when reporters and citizens across Florida are being stonewalled and denied their right to access government information\,” Block said in a statement. “Public records and Sunshine laws are being routinely disregarded across Florida with seemingly no fear of reprisals. This cannot be allowed to stand for the sake of our democracy.” \nIn addition to the Wall Street Journal\, Block has also reported for the Tribune Company\, Reuters and the Independent of London. He has also contributed to the New York Review of Books. \n\nFormat\n \n\nCone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue\n11:30 – Lunch\n12:00 – Presentation begins\nRegistration deadline – Mon\, Nov 6th\n\n \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/fast-and-furious-floridas-relentless-assault-on-free-speech/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Bobby-Block.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231113T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231113T130000 DTSTAMP:20231106T225033Z CREATED:20231025T165049Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231106T225033Z UID:740-1699875000-1699880400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:The "E" Word: Reframing and Understanding How Equity Impacts Everyone DESCRIPTION:Nov 13th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nPlease register by Monday\, Nov 6th.\n \n\nSpeaker Bio\nDr. Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham\, CEO and Founder of Re-Imagining Equity and Learning (R.E.A.L.)\, advocates for student\, educator\, and parent empowerment and opportunity as the Director of Educational Equity and Outreach for Alachua County Public Schools. He actively travels the nation delivering keynote speeches\, professional development seminars\, and workshops in the educational\, instructional\, musical\, and DEIA (Diversity\, Equity\, Inclusion\, and Access) spaces. He is also widely sought out as a music clinician\, having worked with band and orchestra students and ensembles across the southeastern United States. The 2019 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year\, Dr. Graham was selected in July 2019 as the 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year\, representing 74 school districts and more than 195\,000 teachers. During the 2019-2020 school year\, Dr. Graham was on sabbatical from teaching and served as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. In this role\, he toured the state delivering motivational speeches and workshops focused on empowering teachers to create the most impactful learning experience possible for their students. \nHe holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education (University of Florida)\, a Master’s in Educational Leadership (Concordia University)\, a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (University of South Florida)\, a Doctorate of Education in Learning Design and Performance Technology (Florida State University)\, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting (University of Florida). \nDr. Graham is blessed to share life with his wife\, Casey (also a former educator)\, and daughter\, Aaliyah. His passion is to fight for ALL students to have an equitable educational experience tailored to their unique and individual needs in order for them to purse the best version of themselves. He works to continue positively impacting the next generation of world changers. \n\nFormat\n \n\nCone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue\n11:30 – Lunch\n12:00 – Presentation begins\nRegistration deadline – Mon\, Nov 6th\n\n \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/the-e-word-reframing-and-understanding-how-equity-impacts-everyone/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/D.-Graham-Headshot-Braids-DOE-Cropped.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231009T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231009T130000 DTSTAMP:20231002T205717Z CREATED:20230925T215353Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231002T205717Z UID:732-1696851000-1696856400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Communicating about climate change: Informing the public about the threats we face – and what to do about them. DESCRIPTION:Oct 9th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \n \n\nwith Nathan Crabbe\nFlorida is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as extreme weather and rising sea levels. But the way we communicate about climate change can increase divisions and make it more difficult to reach consensus on solutions. Nathan Crabbe\, former opinion editor for The Gainesville Sun\, discusses the challenges of informing people about the climate threats facing the state in his new role as editor of The Invading Sea website. \nSpeaker Bio\nNathan Crabbe is editor of The Invading Sea\, a website featuring news\, commentary and educational content about climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida. The website is managed by Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies. \nNathan previously worked for The Gainesville Sun newspaper from 2005 to 2022. He served for most of that time as the paper’s opinion and engagement editor. He also covered the University of Florida and environmental beats as a reporter. \nBefore that\, he investigated wrongful convictions for the Innocence Institute of Point Park University in Pittsburgh\, Pennsylvania\, and covered the environmental and county beats as a reporter for the Napa Valley Register in Napa\, California. He lives in Gainesville with his wife and two children \n\nFormat\nNote this forum will be held at a new location (Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Avenue). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register by Monday\, Oct 2nd. \nRegistration\nRegistration is closed \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/communicating-about-climate-change-informing-the-public-about-the-threats-we-face-and-what-to-do-about-them/ LOCATION:Cone Park Branch Library\, 2801 E. University Ave.\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32641\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/fa8e9039-c6c8-4f30-a341-f97d77910b07-1011124559_fl_gai_crabbemug.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230911T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230911T130000 DTSTAMP:20230908T134627Z CREATED:20230830T144745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230908T134627Z UID:724-1694431800-1694437200@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:September Luncheon with Janet Coats DESCRIPTION:Sept 11th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \n \n\nPresenter Bio\nJanet Coats\, Managing Director of the Consortium of Trust in Media and Technology\nMs. Coats has been at the forefront of the seismic shifts in journalism and information culture over the last 25 years. She’s led large multimedia news organizations\, done groundbreaking work in civic engagement and reader outreach\, and built her own consulting company focused on engagement and sustainability strategies for non-profit and entrepreneurial news organizations. She is presently the Managing Director of the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology\, College of Journalism\, University of Florida \nCoats is the former Executive Director for Innovation and Strategy at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. In that role\, she has oversight of the school’s media literacy efforts through its News Co/Lab\, the News21 national student reporting program\, faculty teaching associates\, and grant acquisition for sponsored research.\nPrior to joining Arizona State\, Coats was founder and CEO of Coats2Coats Consulting in Sarasota\, Florida\, an independent consulting firm focused on helping clients create relevant content\, develop community engagement and outreach strategies\, and build business plans focused on both philanthropic and earned revenue. She worked with non-profit newsrooms\, both public media and entrepreneurial startups\, to develop content strategies\, engagement and transparency methodology and revenue diversification approaches.\nFrom 1994 – 2009\, Coats held leadership positions at several news organizations\, including Senior Vice President of News and Executive Editor for The News Center in Tampa\, Florida\, and Executive Editor of the Sarasota (Florida) Herald-Tribune. From 2003-2004\, she served as Dean of the Faculty of The Poynter Institute\, a professional training school for journalists and communications professionals.\nCoats served as a Pulitzer Prize juror five times\, including as chair of the Public Service and Investigative Reporting juries. She served on the board of the American Society of News Editors\, twice chairing the national convention. \n\nFormat\nOur forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register by Monday\, Sept 4th. \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed for this event. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/september-luncheon-with-janet-coats/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Janet-Coats.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230508T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230508T130000 DTSTAMP:20230504T203312Z CREATED:20230423T035657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230504T203312Z UID:716-1683545400-1683550800@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:How I Got Here and What I’ve Learned Along the Way DESCRIPTION:May 8th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \n \n\nPresenter Bio\nKay Abbitt\, Alachua County School Board\nKay Abbitt is currently representing District 5 on the Alachua County School Board. She taught in Alachua County schools for 10 years. She started a company that provided federally funded free tutoring to students in Florida and North Carolina which successfully served thousands of students. With her daughter\, she co-founded Boulware Springs Charter in NE Gainesville. This school was recognized a National ESEA Distinguished school in 2019 for gains made by students in the lowest quartile. Boulware has been recognized by the Florida Dept of Education as having high performing charter status. After retiring in 2022\, Kay decided to pursue her school board seat to work with district schools. \n\nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register by Monday\, May 1st. \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/kay-abbitt-alachua-county-school-board/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/kay-abbitt.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230410T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230410T130000 DTSTAMP:20230406T175732Z CREATED:20230330T130425Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230406T175732Z UID:710-1681126200-1681131600@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:The Winner of the Brechner Center's Freedom of Information Award for 2023 DESCRIPTION:April 10th at 11:30 – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nOur eighth forum talk of this year will take place Monday\, April 10th. The speaker(s) will be one or both of the winners of this year’s Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award winner. \n \n\nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register by MONDAY\, April 3rd. \nRegistration\nRegistration for this event has ended. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/the-winner-of-the-brechner-centers-freedom-of-information-award-for-2023/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Brechner-Center-logo-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230313T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230313T130000 DTSTAMP:20230309T220227Z CREATED:20230214T140542Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230309T220227Z UID:700-1678707000-1678712400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Student Speech Rights and Social Media: The Case of the Cursing Cheerleader DESCRIPTION:March 13th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \n \n\nPresenter Bios\nClay Calvert\, UF Professor of Law & Brechner Eminent Scholar Emeritus\nClay Calvert is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida where until January 2023 he held a joint appointment as Professor of Law at the Fredric G. Levin College of Law and Brechner Eminent Scholar in Mass Communication in the College of Journalism and Communications. In 2021\, he won the University of Florida’s Teacher/Scholar of the Year Award and\, in doing so\, became a member of UF’s Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars. Calvert has authored or co-authored more than 150 law journal articles on freedom of expression-related topics. He is lead author of the undergraduate media law textbook\, Mass Media Law\, 22nd Edition (McGraw Hill 2023)\, and is the author of Voyeur Nation: Media\, Privacy\, and Peering in Modern Culture (Westview Press 2000). Calvert received his J.D. with Order of the Coif status from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. He later earned a Ph.D. in Communication from Stanford University\, where he also completed his undergraduate work in Communication\, earning a B.A. with Distinction. Calvert is a member of both the State Bar of California and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. \n\nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register before THURSDAY\, March 9th. \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed for this event. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/student-speech-rights-and-social-media-the-case-of-the-cursing-cheerleader/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CalvertHeadshot.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230213T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230213T130000 DTSTAMP:20230209T214300Z CREATED:20230115T144332Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230209T214300Z UID:689-1676287800-1676293200@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Is America ready for Voting Reform? The benefits of Ranked Choice Voting\, and why it's being adopted around the nation. DESCRIPTION:Feb. 13th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \nRank My Vote Florida was founded in 2019 by Florida citizens who were working on ranked choice voting in their own cities in Florida. The focus of Rank My Vote Florida is the statewide passage of RCV\, while at the same time assisting efforts to get RCV passed for local elections. \n \n\nPresenter Bios\nJohn Severini\, Executive Director\nSince 2016 John has helped to lead the RCV effort to see ranked choice voting used in Florida. A retired Information Technology business owner with 30+ years of experience\, John is determined to fix our broken political system and believes that “ranked choice voting is a simple change that would increase voter choice\, dissuade divisive campaigns\, focus candidates on issues\, encourage more candidates to run\, electing leaders that represent the majority of voters. Most importantly it will lead to less polarization & better governing” \nDaria Laylock\, Statewide Coordinator of Outreach\nDaria is the Statewide Organizer at Rank My Vote Florida. Daria has traveled the country working across party lines as an organizer to pass quality legislation and elect high-value candidates. Daria joined the Rank My Vote Florida team in December of 2022 with the goal of modernizing our election process. \n\nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register before THURSDAY\, Feb 9th. \nRegistration\nRegistration is now closed. \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/is-america-ready-for-voting-reform-the-benefits-of-ranked-choice-voting-and-why-its-being-adopted-around-the-nation/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FFSF-Feb-2023.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230109T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230109T130000 DTSTAMP:20221230T195758Z CREATED:20221230T195758Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221230T195758Z UID:684-1673263800-1673269200@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Reflections from The Gainesville Sun’s last executive editor DESCRIPTION:Jan. 9th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \nDouglas Ray will discuss the rise and fall of community newspapers and consider the path forward for the Fourth Estate. His career tracked the corporate consolidation of print journalism\, saw its salad days and secured a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage\, but also the great unwinding. Now leading a communications team at the University of Florida\, Ray remains cautiously optimistic for community journalism as new models emerge. \n \nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register by MONDAY\, Jan 2nd. \nRegistration\n\n\n \n TicketsLuncheon $20/person payable at the door (cash or check only) or online via this form. No charge to attend if not having lunch (special seating section only).LUNCH Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n VEGETARIAN LUNCH Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n ATTEND WITHOUT LUNCH (NO CHARGE) Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $0.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Total number of ticketsTotal price of tickets\n $0.00\n \n Contact DetailsPlease enter your contact details. If you are reserving more than one ticket\, please provide guest names in the fields that appear.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Additional GuestsPlease list additional guests\, including first and last name\, and ticket type (optional).NOTE: REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE BY PHONE\, CALL (352) 338-8352Payment optionsHow would you like to pay\n \n \n Pay online\n \n \n \n No lunch (free attendance)\n \n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/reflections-from-the-gainesville-suns-last-executive-editor/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Image.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221212T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221212T130000 DTSTAMP:20221122T162751Z CREATED:20221122T162751Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221122T162751Z UID:680-1670844600-1670850000@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Where Nature and Culture Meet DESCRIPTION:Dec 12th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm \nRobert “Hutch” Hutchinson will weave together several tales about how Alachua County became the place “Where Nature and Culture Meet”\, providing insight into the people and events that have forever shaped the landscape of our community. \nSpeaker Bio:\nRobert “Hutch” Hutchinson served as an Alachua County Commissioner for twelve years where he was involved in land conservation\, comprehensive planning\, mental health and homelessness\, racial justice\, animal welfare\, public health\, and other issues. Hutch’s community involvement has included directing Alachua Conservation Trust and the Gainesville Downtown Redevelopment Agency\, and he has worked for the Florida Museum of Natural History\, Gainesville Regional Utilities\, The Florida Nature Conservancy\, Santa Fe College\, and served on a dozen boards of non-profit agencies. \n \nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our forums are now held at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). Please aim to arrive at 11:30 for lunch. The talk itself is scheduled to begin at noon. \nPlease register by MONDAY\, Dec 5th. \nRegistration\n\n \n TicketsLuncheon $20/person payable at the door (cash or check only) or online via this form. No charge to attend if not having lunch (special seating section only).LUNCH Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n VEGETARIAN LUNCH Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n ATTEND WITHOUT LUNCH (NO CHARGE) Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $0.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Total number of ticketsTotal price of tickets\n $0.00\n \n Contact DetailsPlease enter your contact details. If you are reserving more than one ticket\, please provide guest names in the fields that appear.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Additional GuestsPlease list additional guests\, including first and last name\, and ticket type (optional).NOTE: REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE BY PHONE\, CALL (352) 338-8352Payment optionsHow would you like to pay\n \n \n Pay online\n \n \n \n No lunch (free attendance)\n \n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/where-nature-and-culture-meet/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Hutch-portrait-2022.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221114T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221114T130000 DTSTAMP:20221102T133603Z CREATED:20221018T184501Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221102T133603Z UID:671-1668427200-1668430800@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Medical Aid in Dying: A Global Perspective DESCRIPTION:Nov 14th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nBarbara Toeppen-Sprigg\, MD\, MPH\, is a retired Family and Preventive Medicine physician. Her practice in Ohio included direct patient care\, residency teaching\, and organizational responsibilities. She has been teaching on End-of-Life Choice for the last seven years\, primarily in Ocala\, Florida. Her other interests include kayaking\, hiking\, and studying about metabolic health. \n \nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our first forums are now held at 11:30 at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). \nPlease register by MONDAY\, Nov 7th. \nRegistration\n\n \n TicketsLuncheon $20/person payable at the door (cash or check only) or online via this form. No charge to attend if not having lunch (special seating section only).LUNCH Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n VEGETARIAN LUNCH Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n ATTEND WITHOUT LUNCH (NO CHARGE) Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $0.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Total number of ticketsTotal price of tickets\n $0.00\n \n Contact DetailsPlease enter your contact details. If you are reserving more than one ticket\, please provide guest names in the fields that appear.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Additional GuestsPlease list additional guests\, including first and last name\, and ticket type (optional).NOTE: REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE BY PHONE\, CALL (352) 338-8352Payment optionsHow would you like to pay\n \n \n Pay online\n \n \n \n No lunch (free attendance)\n \n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/barbara-toeppen-sprigg/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/unnamed.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20221010T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20221010T130000 DTSTAMP:20221102T133122Z CREATED:20221003T143913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20221102T133122Z UID:667-1665403200-1665406800@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Sweetwater Creek Loop: Reclaim a creek\, connect neighborhoods DESCRIPTION:Oct 10th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nRon Cunningham is a career newspaper journalist who has been writing about Florida for half a century. A 1975 graduate of the University of Florida\, he began his journalism career as a beat reporter for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel. In 1976 he became higher education reporter for the Gainesville Sun\, and later served as Tallahassee Bureau Chief for the New York Times Florida Newspapers. He was editorial page editor of the Gainesville Sun for 30 years before his retirement. In retirement\, Ron continues to write columns\, book and theater reviews and magazine articles for the Sun and other Florida publications. He also has a blog called FREEGNV. After his retirement\, Ron was appointed Executive Director of Bike Florida\, during which time he planned and oversaw several small group and mass bicycle tours around the state. He has been married to Jill Cunningham\, accounting professor at Santa Fe College\, for 40 years. He has two adult children\, Jennifer\, who lives in Bethesda\, Md. and Andrew\, who lives in San Francisco. A native of Lancaster\, Pa. Ron has lived in Florida since the age of 7. \n \nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our first forums are now held at 11:30 at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). \nPlease register by MONDAY\, Oct 3rd. \nRegistration\n\n \n \n Oct 2022\n \n \n TicketsLuncheon $20/person payable at the door (cash or check only) or online via this form. No charge to attend if not having lunch (special seating section only).Lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Vegetarian lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n No lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $0.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Total number of ticketsTotal price of tickets\n $0.00\n \n Contact DetailsPlease enter your contact details. If you are reserving more than one ticket\, please provide guest names in the fields that appear.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Additional GuestsPlease list additional guests\, including first and last name\, and ticket type (optional).NOTE: REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE BY PHONE\, CALL (352) 338-8352Payment optionsHow would you like to pay\n \n \n Pay online\n \n \n \n No lunch (free attendance)\n \n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/sweetwater-creek-loop-reclaim-a-creek-connect-neighborhoods/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ron-Cunningham-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220912T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220912T130000 DTSTAMP:20220819T154917Z CREATED:20220819T154917Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220819T154917Z UID:661-1662984000-1662987600@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Public Defenders: who we are\, what we do\, and why we are important DESCRIPTION:Sept 12th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nStacy Scott holds a BA from the University of Florida and a J.D. with honors from the University of Florida College of Law. She has worked in the private sector as a criminal defense attorney for over 20 years\, litigating criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felony cases. She has served as Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Public Defender. Stacy was appointed Public Defender of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in 2010 and has been re-elected since then. She has become an effective policy advocate in Tallahassee on issues relating to criminal justice and on funding for Public Defenders statewide. Stacy has received the 2017 and 2018 President’s Award for exemplary legislative advocacy on behalf of Public Defenders. She is an instructor in the Trial Practice program at UF’s law school and has been coach of the Trial Team\, leading to two national civil rights championships. \n \nFormat\nThis year our meetings will resume being in person (with lunch). Our first forum is Monday\, September 12th at 11:30 at the Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road (behind the Hilton UF Conference Center). \nPlease register by Thursday\, Sept 8th. \nRegistration\n\n \n \n Sept 2022\n \n \n TicketsLuncheon $20/person payable at the door (cash or check only) or online via this form. No charge to attend if not having lunch (special seating section only).Lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Vegetarian lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n No lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $0.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Total number of ticketsTotal price of tickets\n $0.00\n \n Contact DetailsPlease enter your contact details. If you are reserving more than one ticket\, please provide guest names in the fields that appear.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Additional GuestsPlease list additional guests\, including first and last name\, and ticket type (optional).NOTE: REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE BY PHONE\, CALL (352) 338-8352Payment optionsHow would you like to pay\n \n \n Pay online\n \n \n \n No lunch (free attendance)\n \n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIf you’d like to be added to our email list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/public-defenders-who-we-are-what-we-do-and-why-we-are-important/ LOCATION:Aloft Hotel\, 3743 Hull Road\, Gainesville\, Florida\, 32607 ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/stacy-scott.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220509T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220509T130000 DTSTAMP:20220727T134337Z CREATED:20220727T134337Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220727T134337Z UID:654-1652097600-1652101200@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Saving Florida’s Springs – Time is Running Out DESCRIPTION:May 9th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nOur ninth and last forum talk of this year will take place next Monday\, May 9th at Noon via Zoom (see links below). The speaker will be Dr. Robert L. Knight\, Director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute speaking on “Saving Florida’s Springs – Time is Running Out.” \n \nFormat\nFor the time being we will continue having our forums virtually\, via Zoom but are planning to have them in person in the 2022-23 season. Details to join the meeting online are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/saving-floridas-springs-time-is-running-out/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bob.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220411T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220411T130000 DTSTAMP:20220727T134810Z CREATED:20220727T134810Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220727T134810Z UID:657-1649678400-1649682000@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award DESCRIPTION:May 9th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nOur eighth forum talk of this year will take place next Monday\, April 11th at Noon via Zoom. The speaker(s) will be one or both of the winners of this year’s Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award\, Hannah Dreier and Andrew Ba Tran of The Washington Post for their FEMA’s disasters series. \n \nFormat\nFor the time being we will continue having our forums virtually\, via Zoom but are planning to have them in person in the 2022-23 season. Details to join the meeting online are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/brechner-center-for-freedom-of-information-award/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Brechner-Center-logo-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220314T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220314T130000 DTSTAMP:20220307T150813Z CREATED:20220305T185513Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220307T150813Z UID:648-1647259200-1647262800@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Does the Attack on Critical Race Theory Reflect a Two-Tiered right to Free Speech DESCRIPTION:March 14th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Bio:\nMichelle Jacobs is an Emeritus professor\, having just retired from twenty – eight years as a professor of law at the University of Florida College of Law\, and the Racial Justice Term Professor for the 2020-2021 academic year. She taught Criminal Law\, Criminal Procedure\, White Collar Crime\, International Criminal Law and Critical Race Theory. Prof. Jacobs’ scholarship focuses on access to justice for communities marginalized in and by the law. In particular\, she concentrates on Black women’s experience with violence perpetrated by the state\, whether it is when they are accused of crime\, as victims of crime\, or at the hands of violent police. She tries to highlight the plight of Black women criminalized by the state for daring to protect their own lives against intimate partner violence\, as well as the invisibility of Black women’s struggle against all forms of police violence. She is a frequent media commentator on racial bias in the criminal justice system\, and on police violence\, particularly as it relates to police murders and sexual assaults of Black women and girls. In addition\, she gives frequent interviews to the press and lectures on the subject of Critical Race Theory. \n \nFormat\nFor the time being we will continue having our forums virtually\, via Zoom. We hope to be able to schedule the forums later this spring in person (maybe with lunch). We will be evaluating the impact and progress of the Omicron variant of Covid-19\, etc. and keep you informed. Details to join the meeting online are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/critical-race-theory-and-free-speech/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jacobs-michelle.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220214T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220214T130000 DTSTAMP:20220116T012914Z CREATED:20220116T012914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T012914Z UID:645-1644840000-1644843600@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:When Democracy Dies\, What Happens Next? DESCRIPTION:Feb 14th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nDescription:\nIt has become increasingly clear that America’s version of democracy is under severe threat and may not survive. This talk will discuss how serious that threat is and\, after concluding that the dangers are all too real\, asks what a post-democratic America would look like — including asking whether and how democracy could be restored\, and how quickly. \nSpeaker Bio:\nNeil H. Buchanan is the James J. Freeland Eminent Scholar in Taxation at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and a J.D. and Ph.D in law. His work focuses on current generations’ obligations to future generations\, tax policy\, and the rule of law. \n \nFormat\nFor the time being we will continue having our forums virtually\, via Zoom. We hope to be able to schedule the forums later this spring in person (maybe with lunch). We will be evaluating the impact and progress of the Omicron variant of Covid-19\, etc. and keep you informed. Details to join the meeting online are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/when-democracy-dies-what-happens-next/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220110T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220110T130000 DTSTAMP:20220105T140852Z CREATED:20211228T183052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220105T140852Z UID:635-1641816000-1641819600@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Making Gainesville for ALL DESCRIPTION:Jan 10th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSpeaker Biosketch\nJAMES F. LAWRENCE JR.\, a native of Orlando\, is director of Gainesville for All\, a community-based 501c3 organized five years ago to find systemic solutions to the region’s persistent problems linked to race and poverty. \nLawrence\, who is a graduate of Howard University in Washington\, D.C.\, retired nearly seven years ago after 42 years as a full-time journalist. He currently writes a twice-monthly column for the Gainesville Sun. \n \nLawrence began his journalism career shortly after graduating from Howard in the early 70s as a reporter for a black-owned weekly newspaper\, The Cleveland Call and Post. He later joined United Press International in Denver\, Colo.\, where he was among the first African Americans to cover the Colorado Legislature and the Denver Broncos. \nLawrence returned to his hometown of Orlando in the mid 1980s as a member of the Editorial Board at the Orlando Sentinel. After a two-year stint at his hometown newspaper\, he joined Gannett newspapers as an associate editor in White Plains\, New York. In 1992\, he was named editorial page editor at the Rochester\, NY Democrat and Chronicle\, the second largest newspaper in Western New York. Lawrence led the opinion section of the D&C for 22 years until his retirement in December 2014. \nDuring his career Lawrence won numerous awards\, including Gannett’s top award for diversity and leadership in 2014. Upon retirement\, he was presented the Democrat and Chronicle’s inaugural Publisher’s Award and was given the Key to the City by Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. \nHe and his wife\, Betty\, now live in Live Oak\, where he is a member of Ebenezer AME Church. They are parents of three adult children. They also are the proud grandparents of seven of the most talented and brightest kids on the planet. \n \nFormat\nFor the time being we will continue having our forums virtually\, via Zoom. We hope to be able to schedule the forums later this spring in person (maybe with lunch). We will be evaluating the impact and progress of the Omicron variant of Covid-19\, etc. and keep you informed. Details to join the meeting online are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/making-gainesville-for-all/ LOCATION:Alachua County Library\, 401 East University Avenue\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32601\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211213T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211213T130000 DTSTAMP:20211201T014137Z CREATED:20211126T012540Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211201T014137Z UID:630-1639396800-1639400400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Paul Broadie\, President\, Santa Fe College DESCRIPTION:Dec 13th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nDr. Paul Broadie II began serving as Santa Fe College’s fifth president on February 1\, 2020. In his inaugural address he pledged the following pillars would guide his leadership and path forward: student success\, individual and institutional growth\, innovation\, partnerships\, and evolution. \nHis priorities soon included expanding workforce development\, shattering equity gaps\, enhancing opportunities for professional development\, and continuing to grow strong academic programs. During his first few months he engaged key leaders on and off campus in discussions of potential partnerships\, took steps to bridge the digital divide by providing students in rural areas greater access to technology\, and challenged college leaders to change the mentality\, where it exists\, that college is not for everyone. \nDuring this luncheon\, Dr. Broadie will discuss innovative approaches to creating a college-going culture and impacting the community. \nNote: Luncheons will now be held online via ZOOM. Details to join the meeting are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\,\nplease reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/paul-broadie-president-santa-fe-college/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20211108T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20211108T130000 DTSTAMP:20211103T143124Z CREATED:20211103T142951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211103T143124Z UID:625-1636372800-1636376400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:The Structure and Function of the State Attorney’s office\, and Current Issues DESCRIPTION:with Brian Kramer\, State’s Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit and adjunct professor for the University of Florida\, Levin College of Law\nNovember 8th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm\nNote: Luncheons will now be held online via ZOOM. Details to join the meeting are sent to everyone on our email list the week prior to the meeting. If you’d like to be added to our list\, please reach out via our contact form or join as a member to be automatically added to our email list.\n\nOur third forum talk of the fall will take place next Monday\, November 8th at Noon via Zoom. The speaker will be our new State’s Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit\, Brian Kramer. He will be speaking on “The Structure and Function of the State Attorney’s Office\, and Current Issues.” \nThere will be opportunities to ask questions of the speaker. \nFor the rest of the fall we will be having our forums virtually\, via Zoom. We hope to be able to schedule the Spring forums in person (with lunch). \nOur previous talk by Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton spoke on the new Florida elections laws. Her talk is now available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk2VKIalfaU. They will have impacts on future elections\, including the one coming up in Gainesville on November 16th. Check it out. \nHope you’ll zoom in and join us! URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/the-structure-and-function-of-the-state-attorneys-office-and-current-issues/ LOCATION:FL END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210913T113000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210913T130000 DTSTAMP:20210913T023225Z CREATED:20210725T181804Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210913T023225Z UID:600-1631532600-1631538000@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:The immigration crisis: What can one community do? DESCRIPTION:with Richard MacMaster\, coordinator of Gainesville’s Interfaith Alliance for Immigration Justice\nSeptember 13th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm\nNote: Luncheons will now be held at the Holiday Inn Gainesville-University Center\, 1250 West University Avenue\n \nJoin guest speaker Richard MacMaster as he discusses our communities’ response to the immigration crisis over the last dozen years. From supporting farm workers and the Fair Food Program\, to the protocols around undocumented students at UF and Santa Fe and how they are implemented\, to visiting immigrants held at Baker Detention Center. MacMaster will discuss the systems in place and how we can make Gainesville and Alachua County a more welcoming community for people from around the world including suggestions for language access\, police procedures\, and sponsoring asylum seekers. \nZOOM details \nTo attend the event via ZOOM please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88240493823 \nWelcome Back to our Live-and-In-Person Free Speech Luncheons! \nWe can’t wait to meet all together again\, so here’s some things you might want to know: \n\nNew location: Holiday Inn Conference Center\, at University Ave. and 13th. Banquet Room on 2nd floor.\nSame schedule: Every 2nd Monday\, with meal service at 11:30\, speaker at 12:00\, Q&A at 12:30\nSame great price: $20 per meal!\nSame full Luncheon\, but new format: Instead of buffet style\, our meals will be plated and served\, and will include salad\, entrée (with vegetarian option)\, and dessert\, along with water\, tea\, and coffee.\nParking: Available all around the building as well as in the parking garage. Pick up your parking pass at our table just inside the main lobby\, which you will then place on your dashboard.\nWant to come to listen\, but not to eat? You are always welcome to join us–No charge!\nCovid Concerns? We will carefully follow all CDC guidance\, including food service and socially-distanced table settings for those who wish to sit a little farther apart. If you aren’t comfortable in person\, a ZOOM option is still available. Furthermore\, depending on conditions each month\, in-person luncheons may be cancelled in an abundance of caution. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate a challenging time.\n\nAbout the speaker \nMacMaster was a history major as an undergraduate at Fordham University\, where he earned his Masters degree. After he earned a Ph.D from Georgetown University 1968\, he taught American history at Western Carolina University and James Madison University in Harrisonburg\, Virginia. Influenced by his major professor at Fordham\, Robert Remini\, he was initially focused on the era of Andrew Jackson. However\, he eventually became more interested in 18th century Chesapeake. His first published book was a social-economic study built around the family of George Mason of Gunston Hall\, the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. After that he studied German and Scotch-Irish migration to the Colonies. His most recent book is Scotch-Irish Merchants in Colonial America: The Flaxseed Trade and Emigration from Ireland\, 1718-1755. He came to Gainesville in February 2001 since his wife Eve had been called as pastor of Emmanuel Mennonite Church. \nPlease register by Thursday\, Sept 9th. \nRegistration\n\n \n \n \n \n TicketsLuncheon $20/person payable at the door (cash or check only) or online via this form. No charge to attend if not having lunch (special seating section only).Lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Vegetarian lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $20.00\n \n \n Quantity \n No lunch Quantity\n \n \n Price:\n $0.00\n \n \n Quantity \n Total number of ticketsTotal price of tickets\n $0.00\n \n Contact DetailsPlease enter your contact details. If you are reserving more than one ticket\, please provide guest names in the fields that appear.Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Guest Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Ticket type (optional)\n \n Additional GuestsPlease list additional guests\, including first and last name\, and ticket type (optional).NOTE: REGISTRATION CAN ALSO BE MADE BY PHONE\, CALL (352) 338-8352Payment optionsHow would you like to pay\n \n \n Pay online\n \n \n \n No lunch (free attendance)\n \n Submit URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/the-immigration-crisis-what-can-one-community-do/ LOCATION:Holiday Inn Gainesville-University Center\, 1250 West University Avenue\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32601\, United States END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210510T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210510T130000 DTSTAMP:20210423T150500Z CREATED:20210423T150301Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210423T150500Z UID:579-1620648000-1620651600@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Human Trafficking and Child Advocacy: How Does It All Work? DESCRIPTION:with Sherry Kitchens\, Ed.S. LMFT\nMay 10th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSherry Kitchens\, Ed.S. LMFT is the President/CEO of the Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville\, FL and has led the organization since 2005. Sherry graduated in 1992 from Emory University with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She obtained her Masters and Specialist degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1996 from the University of Florida\, College of Education. Sherry has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1999\, Florida State Approved Clinical Supervisor since 2002. \nOver the past 29 years\, Sherry has had the privilege to work at the Alachua County Crisis Center\, Gainesville Family Institute\, CDS Family and Behavioral Services\, and the Child Advocacy Center\, Inc. Her work in Gainesville and surrounding areas\, has included a focus on ungovernable\, truant and runaway youth; traumatized and exploited youth; youth with substance abuse issues; and parents with concerns for their children’s safety and success. Sherry held a successful private practice in Gainesville 2001-2020. \nSherry provides training both locally and statewide on the commercial sexual exploitation of children/human trafficking\, child abuse reporting\, signs and symptoms of child abuse\, child development\, drug endangered children\, normative childhood sexual development\, sexual abuse of children\, best practices in child abuse investigations\, multidisciplinary team response\, victim advocacy response\, impact of trauma on children and their behavior\, and many other related topics. She also provides direct services including trauma recovery therapy\, forensic interviews\, advocacy\, case staffing reviews\, crisis intervention\, multidisciplinary team coordination and expert testimony. \nNote that FFSF events are now online\, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member\, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise\, to receive an invitation\, please apply for membership. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/human-trafficking-and-child-advocacy-how-does-it-all-work/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Sherry-Kitchens.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210412T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210412T130000 DTSTAMP:20210405T170303Z CREATED:20210405T170303Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210405T170303Z UID:574-1618228800-1618232400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:2021 Brechner Freedom of Information Center Award Winner DESCRIPTION:with Reuters news service\nApril 12th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nThe Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Award is an annual $3\,000 cash award\, sponsored by The Brechner Center. The award recognizes excellence in reporting about freedom of information\, access to government-held information\, or the First Amendment. \nA spokesperson from this year’s winner\, Reuters new service\, will be our speaker for April. \nFrom the Brechner News announcement: \n“For a series of investigative news stories exposing the enormity of preventable deaths in county jails across the United States attributable to suicides or medical conditions\, a team of reporters from the Reuters news service is the winner of the annual Brechner Freedom of Information Award for investigative reporting. \nFor a series of stories published throughout 2020\, “Dying Inside\,” Reuters reporters filed more than 1\,500 state freedom-of-information requests to gather the records behind 7\,571 deaths in county lockups between 2008 and 2019. They found that the vast majority of those who died were not serving sentences after conviction\, but were merely being held in custody waiting for their trial dates\, often because they could not afford bail. “The toll of jail inmates who die without a case resolution subverts a fundamental tenet of the U.S. criminal justice system: innocent until proven guilty\,” the reporting team wrote. \nReuters reporters documented that the death rate is statistically greater in jails with privatized medical care supplied by outside contractors\, raising questions about whether corners are being cut in the pursuit of profit. The team’s data reporting was augmented by interviews with grieving family members across the country\, recounting how their loved ones failed to receive attention for life-threatening mental health problems while in custody.” \n[Read the full announcement here] \nNote that FFSF events are now online\, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member\, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise\, to receive an invitation\, please apply for membership. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/2021-brechner-freedom-of-information-center-award-winner/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Reuters-logo.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210308T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210308T130000 DTSTAMP:20210226T211201Z CREATED:20210226T210802Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210226T211201Z UID:569-1615204800-1615208400@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:How Classroom Teachers Navigate Controversial Issues in Contentious Times: Risks and Rewards DESCRIPTION:with Dr. Elizabeth Yeager Washington and Dr. Judith Pace\nMarch 8th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nElizabeth Yeager Washington is Professor and Coordinator of Secondary Education and Social Studies Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville\, a Senior Fellow of the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship\, and a Knight Fellow at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Austin. She previously served as editor of Theory and Research in Education (2001-2007). She teaches secondary social studies methods\, civics and government methods\, and global studies methods courses. Her research interests include civic education\, critical democratic citizenship education\, and the teaching and learning of history. \nDr. Judith Pace is Professor of Teacher Education at The University of San Francisco. She earned her EdD from Harvard University. She is a qualitative researcher interested in classroom teaching and how it is shaped by teachers\, students\, schools\, and society. Her research has focused on classroom authority and academic engagement\, teaching for democratic citizenship\, social studies teaching under high stakes accountability\, and preparation of preservice teachers for teaching controversial issues. Her forthcoming book is titled Hard Questions: Learning to Teach Controversial Issues (Rowman & Littlefield). \nNote that FFSF events are now online\, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member\, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise\, to receive an invitation\, please apply for membership. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/how-classroom-teachers-navigate-controversial-issues-in-contentious-times-risks-and-rewards/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dr.-Elizabeth-Yeager-Washington-and-Dr.-Judith-Pace.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210208T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210208T130000 DTSTAMP:20210126T142329Z CREATED:20210126T142329Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210126T142329Z UID:564-1612785600-1612789200@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:Lies\, Damn Lies and Insurrection DESCRIPTION:with Gary Edinger\nFebruary 8th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSummary: Well isn’t that some crazy sh*t?! The President’s speech and the insurrection at the Capital provide a great\, if tragic\, lesson in civics and the First Amendment. From the perspective of a First Amendment litigator\, some of that day’s activities were clearly protected speech\, some was extremely borderline (the President’s intemperate language and Rudy’s call for “trial by combat”)\, while the vandalism at the Capitol clearly was not speech of any kind. To my thinking there are few parallels between the events of Jan. 6th and the BLM demonstrations last summer. There is a difference between civil war and civil reform. On the other hand\, there is no question that there were some bad actors engaged in rioting and that did not look much like reasoned discourse. \n \nBio:\nGary Edinger\, is a member of the First Amendment Lawyers Association (FALA)\, a group of prominent attorneys responsible for litigating many important free-speech cases. He is also active on the legal panel for the North Florida Chapter of the Florida ACLU. He is the lead attorney at law firm Gary S. Edinger\, P.A. in Gainesville\, Florida. \nNote that FFSF events are now online\, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member\, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise\, to receive an invitation\, please apply for membership. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/lies-damn-lies-and-insurrection/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GSEPHOTOIlI.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210111T120000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210111T130000 DTSTAMP:20210103T164704Z CREATED:20210103T164704Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210103T164704Z UID:560-1610366400-1610370000@www.floridafreespeechforum.org SUMMARY:A Torah Guideline: “Save one life\, you save the world” DESCRIPTION:Defending Human Rights One Asylum Case at a Time\nwith UF Professor emeritus of anthropology\, Allan Burns\nJanuary 11th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm \nSummary: The work of an expert witness in asylum and deportation cases includes documenting the conditions of violent and dangerous parts of the world today and testifying about those conditions. I take my perspective from the anthropologist Margaret Mead who always said that anthropology should be relative to the world today. Her emphasis on studying small groups shows the importance of understanding human rights from the perspective of human rights lawyers\, experts\, Department of Homeland Security lawyers\, immigration judges\, and of course asylum seekers and their families. Asylum seekers seek to live without the threats of drug cartels\, corrupt governments\, criminal organizations\, and hate crimes people. Asylum laws and procedures as well as changes in those who seek asylum today have created a humanitarian crisis. So\, what can we do? \n \nBio:\nAllan Burns is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Latin American Studies at U.F. and Adjunct Professor at Duke’s campus in China\, Duke Kunshan University. In addition to UF and Duke\, Burns was a Fulbright scholar at Copenhagen University\, Visiting Professor at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid\, and a guest professor at the Autonomous University of the Yucatan in Mexico. He was the Fulbright advisor at UF and was the President of the international Society for Applied Anthropology where he received the Sol Tax award for distinguished service to the profession of anthropology. \nHis research has included the political\, social\, and cultural conditions of Honduras\, Belize\, El Salvador\, Guatemala and Mexico\, with an emphasis on indigenous communities there and human rights. His books include Maya in Exile: Guatemalans in Florida and An Epoch of Miracles: Yucatec Mayan Oral Literature. He is a pro-bono expert witness on over 100 asylum and human rights cases\, working with Human Rights First\, The Hastings Center for Gender and Refugee Studies\, and other social justice organizations. Burns was the chair of the Department of Anthropology for eight years and Senior Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for five years. Burns lives in Rock Creek with his wife Alba Amaya Burns and is a neighbor of Paul and Doris Hargrave. \nNote that FFSF events are now online\, hosted through Zoom. If you are a Florida Free Speech Forum member\, you will automatically be sent an invitation to this event. Otherwise\, to receive an invitation\, please apply for membership. URL:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/event/a-torah-guideline-save-one-life-you-save-the-world/ LOCATION:Online (ZOOM) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.floridafreespeechforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Allan-Burns.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR