A social media firestorm erupted on Independence Day after a mom posted a video of her 13-year-old daughter being arrested by Lakeland police for using a megaphone at a pro-choice rally in Munn Park.
Category: Activism
Posted inActivism, Politics
Lakeland Reacts to Supreme Court Abortion Ruling
As black clouds threatened rain, about 20 pro-choice protesters lined Florida Avenue in front of Southgate Shopping Plaza Friday evening.
Posted inActivism, City Hall, History
Juneteenth Not a Day Off for City of Lakeland – Yet
On Monday, banks will be closed and so will post offices in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday that marks the end of slavery in Texas in 1865. The city of Lakeland will be open for business this year, including a city commission meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.
Posted inActivism, Events
Polk Pride Week Resumes After 2-Year Pandemic Break
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Polk Pride Week is back for its sixth year with a theme of “Prouder than Ever” and events spanning June 11 to June 18.
Posted inActivism, People
United Way Awards Celebrate Volunteerism, Philanthropy
A lawyer, a logistics advisor, a tax advisor and a Lakeland couple who raised more than $100,000 for the United Way of Central Florida’s early education programs were honored Thursday during the agency’s annual meeting.
Posted inActivism, People
SEU Masters Degrees in Hand, Boko Haram Escapees Plan to Start Non-Profits
Giving back is on the minds of two young Nigerian women who escaped Boko Haram as teens, came to the U.S. and received scholarships to Southeastern University. The pair graduate with masters degrees today, News Channel 8 reports. Joy Bishara is applying for social work jobs and plans to start “Destiny Prevails,” a non-profit to […]
Posted inActivism, People
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine’s Valerie Poole Receives Champion of Service Award
Volunteer Florida recognized Valerie Poole of Lakeland by awarding her the “Champion of Service Award” for her “outstanding efforts in volunteerism and community service” with Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.
Posted inActivism, Housing
Mutz Pledges to Seek Fines on Owners of Unsafe Rental Properties
A pledge by Lakeland’s mayor to hold landlords responsible for clearing up unsafe living conditions drew enthusiastic praise from leaders of the Polk Ecumenical Council for Empowerment (PEACE) and the crowd of up to 1,000 people at a drive-in rally Tuesday evening.
Posted inActivism, Social Services
Thursday Forum Will Discuss Solutions to Homelessness in Lakeland
Solutions for the 3,700-plus Polk County public school students classified as homeless — living in shelters, budget motels, dangerously compromised dwellings or sofa-surfing with friends and family — will be among the topics discussed Thursday at a Lakeland forum on homelessness and affordable housing.
Posted inActivism, Schools
Ukrainian Student at FSC Prompts Drive for Medical Goods, Donations
Daily conversations with her family in Ukraine and images of war prompted Florida Southern College student Maria Rezhylo to work with the Student Government Association to collect medical goods and monetary donations to be sent to her homeland, News Channel 8 reports. Medical supplies are being collected on campus through April 7 and monetary donations […]