by Trini Quiroz – Jericho March participant
Monday, June 17 was a very rainy day, it was one of those..”when it rains, it pours” so much so that I almost didn’t make it to the Orlando City Hall “Jericho March”…..but, I braved the storm in the east side, got on my car and got there to see a valiant group of Citizens proceeding with their Press Conference, well attended by major Media.
We marched around the building and after the Jericho March we proceeded to the council chambers where we took seats in the front and awaited the public portion of the meeting. Then we presented a grade report, “F” to the Mayor and Council, for unfulfilled promises made to the residents of Parramore prior to the initiation of the current deceptive gentrification project.
We were joined and supported by members of the Sierra Club, themselves assembled to protest inadequate and hastily passed 2013-30 Resolution about fertilizer residue seeping into Orlando’s 110 Lakes. Therefore we not only did achieve our goal, but in the process, gained much needed support from people who are compassionate enough not only to care for the quality of the water but for the lives of the citizens of Parramore.
I am writing all this to correct what was inaccurately reported in the current edition of WONO concerning the march and events.
By saying that “It was the mother of all failures. Despite assurances by the event organizers of broad support, and fear for Central Florida’s own Port au Prince, the event flopped. Barely more than a handful showed up and the scheduled march around city hall was panned”.
Wow.
What transpired was that as soon the Press Conference ended, WONO’s reporter left. WONO did not cover the march or the presentation to City Council. The tape, when published will show how effective the event was.
In a world of ordinary people it takes specially gifted and compassionate people like the members of these coalitions to care for others. As the story of the Good Samaritan suggests, too many turn the other way.
The caring organizers of the Jericho March demand a correction and at the same time make an appeal to those few brave Parramore business persons and residents to unite and say “Present”; to say “enough” and “No” to gentrification and to stand up and be counted at the next rally to be announced.
