8-22-12 Mark & I saw a news mobile bus at Army Navy store on way home from work last night. Today I went out to see who these groups were.
I met up with Richard Pawski who was serving pancakes to people in the nearby “Romneyville” primitive camp site. The transient mobile group is “Kiddie Village; Rainbow Gathering of the Living Light” activists group. There mission and purpose is to feed activists, the poor and homeless for free. They travel in am old Bluebird painted school bus around the country. The leader is Phillipe Chavez, who was at a meeting when I was there. A co-assistant was Aaron Daily who came out of the bus shirtless. The need they said is for donations of food, water, supplies, tents or canopies and diesel fuel for the bus. They are set to stay during the whole convention and thru August 31. They are assisting with Occupy Wall Street groups marches and demonstrations. A major concern is the possible storm heading through the Caribbean and could land fall on Tampa next Monday. Richard who was from Wisconsin said pleasingly, “All we do is give out free food. We have fresh coffee, clean water & hand cleaning centers. We need donations of everything.”
Richard introduced me to the NOmadjik Mobile Media News Bus was the next bus to theirs. John R. Penley, http://www.facebook.com/john.penley.3 , a founder of many protest groups including Occupy Wall Street organization and a self proclaimed 30 year political anarchist photographing demonstrations starting in the 1980’s in the lower NYC area when landlords were quick to throw out abiding renters. His photo work has pictures displayed in the Tamiment library at New York University in New York City, UPI , AP and NY Times Now he is perched in a tent in “Romneyville” the tent city named in downtown area of Tampa. He is central in streaming raw video pictures and videos to social media sites around the world. John is very interesting to talk with. He has a very well pleasant demeanor about him. A person who wants to make things equal and fair around the world. If that is at all possible. The weather is of great concern. It was really hot in the media bus and he turned a fan on to circulate the air. Laptop computers are all over. A bunk
style bed was in the back. Planned for the Tampa RNC is a RNC… LET THEM EAT CAKE DRUM CIRCLE DANCE PARTY / FREE BRADLEY MANNING Party at the North Tampa Street campsite August 26, Sunday at 9 PM. He said bring your drums. He was also involved with starting ACT UP in NYC in the 1980’s. He is going to be here throughout the RNC and identified many thousands of people and groups that will coming into Tampa in the next couple of days. They are here to protest. He also has a major demonstration happening up in Charolette for the Democrat National Convention in September. The demonstration is called Demcon 2012. He reinterated that the need for people to donate food and water is critical. Walking into the bus was Chappel a volunteer that is involved with Occupy Wall Street. She is part of the media relaying team. I was told to meeet up with Rev. Bruce Wright in the fenced in Canopy Tent area.
Walking into the 30+ painted numbered tents campground and being greeted by a shirtless receptionist under a canopy. He took me to meet Rev Bruce Wright who was working at a laptop computer under a canopy tent. “ Welcome to Romneyville.” He said. Introductions were made and I sat on a chair next to the Occupy leader. His group www.refugestpete.org is a nationwide grassroots association with
The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) (wiipedia). He worked for the homeless as a church advocate. He said he was from St. Pete and prior to that Boston. He has planned a “Romneyville March to the RNC Convention Center”, Monday August 27th at 3 pm. Leading the march is Cheri Honkala, VP candidate for the Green Party. “The march with supporters are talking about the real issues in America, Poverty, Unemployement and homelessness.!” He told me that he attended a St. Petersburg church leader seminar on Tuesday. He said that he saw a razor blade sharp 8’ fence that is surrounding Tropicana Field in St. Pete. Besides the barricades that are already in place. The weather is going to be a major issue and again the need for more supplies, food and water is needed. Asked how he was being treated. The Rev Wight said that helicopters are overhead hovering at 8am. 1 problem and the Tampa Police came and did their work. “The setup of the Mr Announymous painted figure on top of one of the buildings was a set up. It was from the RNC sympathizers to attract attention to something that isn’t a part of the occupiers. One thing is we have more secret campsites that are in place if needed.” the Rev said.
To donate call 727-278-1547 or drop off at 4507 N. Nebraska Ave Tampa 33603.
I left and again said that I would be meeting up with them again during the upcoming week. I turned around our Honda Element and headed down Tampa Street toward the downtown . I had noticed an unmarked black car come from across and down the street when leaving. It was definitely following me. I turned to go around the convention center and it still followed me around the Tampa Bay Times Forum. I noticed the large GOP signs on the forum and wanted to get some pics for our weekly column. A few large 8’ fencing barricades were in place and others were being worked on at the Hillsborough County History Museum. Out of nowhere between me and the unmarked car following me came a Tampa cruiser and put their lights on to pull me over. I asked what was the matter? She said that she had some questions. What was I doing in the forum area? Where was I from? What type of work do I do? Then looked in the back of our Honda. The give me ID, Insurance and registration came next. The rain started to down pour on the female officer. She said to wait and ran back to her cruiser. I had no idea that Tampa was turning into a police state 5 days before the biggest convention Tampa ever held. On her return she said that I didn’t have thing outstanding and the car was registered but You have a sticker in the wrong place on your license plate. Fix it and Thank you! So it’s only Wednesday and can’t wait to see what else is going to happen.
