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Date: 6/11/2020
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins




Tonight, join us for the Ninth Circuit State Attorney Candidate Forum.
LWVOC is joining together with the ACLU of Central Florida and Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to host this important event. Criminal Justice reform starts at the local level. The change we need to see right now is often in the hands of the prosecutor. Election day is August 18th, now is the time to hear from those who hope to become one the most powerful officials in the Florida criminal justice system. This free event is virtual and can be viewed on our facebook page.

Memo: Racial Justice, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
From:  Dr. Gloria Pickar and Sandi Vidal, Co-Presidents
 
"In this time of crisis and chaos around the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd killing, we are mindful of our responsibility as a local League to effectively use our voices and get on with doing the work for diversity, equity, and inclusion while we also keep doing the work to turn out the vote."
 
We've highlighted a course of action and resources for engagement in the #BlackLivesMatter movement including ideas that you've sent in... continue reading HERE

SKIN ON THE ROPE
 
"In these challenging times I am hopeful that this poem, Skin on the Rope will highlight the individual responsibility we ALL share to curb this bias.  Our Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ) member Valada Flewellyn (shown above) is the poem's author.  She reads it as a short 2 min video on our website." ~Charley Williams, former Co-President, LWVOC
 
Visit ocoeemassacre.com and learn more about ATJ and the upcoming exhibition at the Orange County Regional History Center of the 100th year anniversary of what has been termed "the bloodiest day in American political history."
"When I wake up, I'm black.  Then I navigate two worlds throughout the day." ~Carol Davis, LWVOC Co-President 2016-2018
 
We are posthumously posting an article that Carol wrote in 2016.  Her words then and now are appropriate for the times.
 
"In the future when people of color wake up in the morning, they will still acknowledge their race, but they shouldn't have to carry the heavy burden of inequality.  We need to come together as a community and discuss issues that affect us all."

JUNE 10 Hot Topics:  Election 2020 Security and Accessibility

"I bet you sometimes wonder if your vote counts – or even if it’s counted.

That feeling was exacerbated by the events of 2016 – when it was widely believed that Russians and various other hackers interfered with America’s election via selective and targeted Facebook posts as well as by breaking into electronic voting systems.

There is a great deal of concern about the security of the election again this year, but Orange County has lucked out with an elections supervisor who not only counts but also inspires confidence in the system.

Bill Cowles, first elected in 1996, was the speaker Wednesday at the LWVOC’s first Hot Topics on the Zoom platform – the subject was “Election Security & Accessibility 2020."

 
Continue reading Dean's summary HERE
Were you a part of yesterday's ground-breaking ZOOM Hot Topics?  
 
Almost 100 registrants logged in to hear Bill Cowles answer questions submitted by League members.  
 
Don't miss our next HOT TOPICS @ HOME on July 8th, 12:00 pm
 
You can also sponsor a student.  Cost: $10  LOG IN information will be sent prior to the event.
 

LWVUS Virtual Convention is open for Observers to register. We have already named 11 delegates. Cost is $50—LWVOC has funds budgeted to reimburse registration fees for those who need assistance. Contact Treasurer Karen Estrin
 
LWVUS Announcement:  We recently opened up registration for those wishing to attend our virtual national convention as observers rather than voting delegates. Convention observers cannot submit motions or amendments to motions, participate in debates, or vote. Instead, they will be able to watch the proceedings via YouTube livestream at no cost. To learn more, click the registration button at lwv.org/2020Convention.

Split Oak Forest Preserve Update
 Unfortunately for FL's environment, the word 'preserve' doesn't really mean 'preserved.' 
Commentary by Craig Pittman in the FLORIDA PHOENIX
 In Orlando, the Central Florida Expressway Authority voted unanimously last year to build a $790-million toll road across the  1,800-acre Split Oak Forest – land that was set aside as a preserve to make up for environmental destruction elsewhere in Central Florida (sound familiar?)

But Gloria Pickar, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, has been arguing that destroying a preserve violates the state Constitution, as well as common sense.

“From our perspective, preserved forever means forever, and not just until some developer wants to put a road through it,” she said.


“The Vote" Virtual Preview & Chat, Wednesday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. 

Presented by the League of Women Voters of Orange County, FL, with WUCF,  the Orange County Regional History Center,  and the Orange County Library System. 
Kick your celebration of the Centennial of women’s suffrage into high gear on Wednesday,  July 1 at 6:30 p.m. with an online preview of “The Vote,” the new PBS “American Experience” documentary about women’s decades-long battle for suffrage. Following a compelling 25-minute preview clip, our own Centennial chair Linda Chapin and state Rep. Geraldine Thompson will talk about the suffragists’ legacy and the continuing fight for votes for all!
 
The full documentary, which premieres July 6 and 7, 9-11 p.m. on WUCF,  brings to life the movement’s unsung leaders, as well as the deep controversies over gender roles and race that divided Americans then — and continue to dominate political discourse today.  History Committee Co-Chair Joan Erwin declares The Vote a reality-packed delight, with an all-woman production team, narrated by experts well known to members of our Women’s Lost History reading group.” 
For details and a screening link for the July 1 preview with Linda Chapin and Geraldine Thompson, visit www.thehistorycenter.org/event/the-vote/  

We are on INSTAGRAM  Find us:  @lwvoc

COVID-19 has created challenges for the League’s voter registration efforts. Nationally and locally, Leaguers are busy working on a Vote by Mail campaign. Social media is one of the strategies we’ll utilize. We’re asking members, who are Facebook and Instagram users, to help increase our social media presence by interacting with the League's posts.

  Interacting with our posts is where the magic happens. Every time you do, our voice is amplified. The more interactions we have, the more people will see our message and the greater our impact. A “like” is good, a “comment” is better and a “share” is best of all.  ~ R. Pando
 Do you like our Vote by Mail graphic designed by member Jill Shargaa?  You can share it on your Facebook page or as an Instagram post.  Hover over the graphic, "right click" and save to your device, then follow your normal routine for sharing an image.  

Julia Carpenter Jennifer Maynard

Angie Lair                Carole Mayback

Cory Mayback          Judith Alper

Bonnie Stuart          Karen Rugerio

Susan Porro             Brigit Zamora

Kena Lewis              Sara Llibre

Gail Przeclawski


Share this newsletter and encourage others to join the LWVOC in this important election year.
Current members
 
DID YOU KNOW that even after your membership has expired, you can and should still log onto our website lwvoc.org  to renew.
You can renew with the same membership, upgrade or change it and you can update your personal information here:  
[Shown above: Marty Sullivan and Maura Smith]

 
Newsletter Checklist
 
1) HOT TOPICS @ Home was a huge success.  Thank you HT team!  Register for next month now.
2) Be sure to read Dean's summary with bonus questions answered by SOE, Bill Cowles.
3) We are co-hosts for a local candidate forum. Tune in TONIGHT!
4) We're looking for ideas about supporting the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Read our Co-Presidents' memo and respond with your thoughts.
5) Welcome new members...wowza, we had a lot of sign-ups last week!  Encourage your friends, family, etc. to join us.


The League of Women Voters Orange County has been defending democracy for 81 years.  Learn more about our History Committee, and remember, if you need reading material for this extended shut-down, we still have our history book available and we SHIP!  
 
Visit our LWVOC History Timeline for more details about our history. 

Most of Florida entering Phase 2.  Read Orlando Sentinel article: Gov. DeSantis Announces FL's move to Phase 2
 
 To get updates on numbers diagnosed and more information about COVID 19, visit the Florida Department of Health's COVID 19 site.  (NEW information/updates on a daily basis)

Florida/Local Resources: 
  1. The Florida Department of Health has a 24/7 Hotline that can be reached at by calling 1 (866) 779-6121.
  2. Advent Health's 24/7 hotline can be reached by calling:  1 (877) 847-8747 or 877-VIRUSHQ
  3. Orlando Health's Questions and Answers COVID-19