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May 3, 2024 by katforflorida

A Letter To Florida College and University Presidents

Dear Florida College and University Presidents,

The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) writes to emphatically support the rights of students to engage in peaceful protest on Florida college and university campuses without the threat of violence or repression.

We are concerned that in the past week Florida students have faced mass arrests, suspension, rubber bullets, tear gas, and extreme excessive force during their peaceful demonstrations. Many of the students on the front lines of these demonstrations are young women and femmes. The use of excessive force against these peaceful protesters is unacceptable, and perpetuates the oppression and violence that has historically been used to silence women and marginalized communities.

We don’t want a repeat of Kent State.

Central to feminist principles is the dismantling of oppressive structures that have historically silenced women and marginalized communities. By rejecting censorship and disproportionate punishment based on viewpoints, feminism seeks to cultivate an equitable and inclusive environment where all voices, especially those of women and marginalized groups, are not only heard but also respected.

As an organization rooted in feminist ideals, we demand that university administrators uphold these principles by refraining from censoring, disciplining, or disproportionately punishing individuals based on their viewpoints. While we acknowledge the importance of combating harassment and discrimination, we emphasize the need for an environment that nurtures robust debate and embraces diverse opinions, particularly those that challenge entrenched power dynamics and dominant narratives.

Furthermore, universities have a duty to protect students from discriminatory harassment and violence. This encompasses acts related to “shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics,” as well as “citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity.”

As recently noted by the ACLU, while the Constitution protects offensive and even racist speech, it is imperative to differentiate between speech and impermissible harassment. Harassing a student by directing epithets at them or affixing offensive signs to their dorm room door constitutes harassment, not free speech. Similarly, speech that targets individuals based on their ethnicity or national origin, such as antisemitic or anti-Palestinian speech, is discriminatory and intolerable. Additionally, physically intimidating students by obstructing their movements or aggressively pursuing them are unacceptable conduct, not protected speech.

We acknowledge that Florida colleges and universities may need to enforce content-neutral protest policies to maintain order and ensure essential functions continue. However, these policies should not unduly restrict students’ ability to express themselves or be selectively applied based on the content of their speech.

We demand that you protect these students from violence and defend the rights of students and faculty to engage in peaceful protest and free expression. Our demand is deeply rooted in feminist values of inclusivity, equity, and empowerment. 

We are holding you accountable to the core mission of higher education: to promote critical thinking, debate, and the exchange of ideas in a safe environment.

Sincerely,

Florida National Organization for Women (NOW)

May 1, 2024 by katforflorida

Florida NOW Issues Urgent Travel Advisory for Pregnant Individuals Following Near-Total Abortion Ban in Florida

Florida – The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) advised pregnant individuals to avoid travel and relocation to Florida due to the enactment of a near total ban on abortion. The ban prohibits abortions from the earliest weeks of pregnancy, when many people don’t even know they are pregnant. Florida’s six-week abortion ban raises significant concerns regarding the availability of essential healthcare services for pregnant individuals with both wanted and unwanted pregnancies.

For pregnant individuals unable to avoid Florida, Florida NOW advises pregnant individual to know their options:

  • ChatWithCharley.org/florida offers the latest resources and a confidential chatbot to walk through your options and INeedAnA.com is reliable for finding a legitimate abortion provider as well as the closest and soonest appointment.
  • For financial or logistical assistance to access an abortion check out AbortionFunds.org. People in all 50 states are accessing abortion pills by mail through resources they find at PlanCPills.org.

This advisory serves as a reminder of the critical importance of reproductive rights and healthcare access for pregnant individuals. It is imperative that all individuals have the ability to make informed decisions about their own bodies and access the care they need, regardless of geographic location or legislative barriers.

“Florida NOW will not stop fighting for Reproductive Freedom. We urge all Floridians to renew their vote by mail registration and vote Yes on 4 in November to restore abortion access and get politicians out of our personal medical decisions.” Florida NOW President Debbie DeLand.

For further information please contact:

Debbie Deland President@flnow.org 407-234-6408

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About Florida NOW: Florida NOW – https://flnow.org – is a grassroots feminist organization dedicated to promoting women’s rights and advancing gender equality across the state. With a legacy of advocacy and activism, we remain committed to defending reproductive rights and supporting individuals in accessing essential healthcare services.

March 6, 2024 by katforflorida

Florida National Organization for Women Condemns Decision Not to Prosecute Former Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler for Sexual Battery

Florida — The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) strongly condemns the decision by the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office not to prosecute former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler for the alleged sexual battery and videotaping of a woman in her Sarasota apartment. This decision sends a troubling message about accountability for sexual violence and the protection of survivors.

Neurobiology of trauma informs us of how the brain and body respond to trauma and help us understand the various ways that survivors of sexual trauma react. It is critical that this science is understood and considered when evaluating the credibility of survivors.

The decision by the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office, as outlined in their three-page memo, raises serious concerns. While acknowledging the victim’s substantial intoxication and trauma, the memo fails to fully consider the impact of trauma on memory and the complexities of sexual violence cases.

It is deeply troubling that the decision not to prosecute was based on the victim’s inconsistencies in recalling key details of the event, as well as her expressed inability to recall whether she consented to recording the sexual activity. These inconsistencies are not uncommon in cases of sexual violence and should not be used to discredit the survivor’s account.

Trauma creates disruption in the limbic system of the brain which stores emotional responses to experiences. The amygdala is the “fear center” of the brain. Trauma response & memory is stored in amygdala. This is the reason that individuals commonly have a lot of emotions when recalling traumatic experiences. When the amygdala is activated during a traumatic experience, it interferes with the hippocampus. The hippocampus is involved with recall of memory, particularly long-term memory. This means that when someone is having a traumatic response or trying to recall memories of a traumatic event, they may not be able to recall details of the event or their recall of the event may not be chronological or linear, which is called fragmented memory. Fragmented memory is a completely natural way of processing traumatic events. (1)

Furthermore, the memo acknowledges that the victim had no financial, political, or malicious personal motivation to report the incident, yet fails to adequately address the power dynamics at play in cases involving high-profile individuals like Christian Ziegler.

The Florida National Organization for Women stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and calls for a thorough review of the decision not to prosecute Christian Ziegler. We urge the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office to prioritize the safety and well-being of survivors and to ensure that justice is served in this case.

From Florida NOW Legislative Director Kat Duesterhaus: “As a survivor of sexual assault unable to recall details of the assault, I know firsthand the challenges that survivors face in recalling traumatic events. Trauma disrupts the limbic system of the brain, affecting memory processing and recall. It is crucial that the neurobiology of trauma is understood and considered when evaluating the credibility of survivors. The decision not to prosecute Christian Ziegler, based on inconsistencies in the victim’s recall, is deeply troubling and underscores the need for greater sensitivity and understanding in cases of sexual violence. In 2021, the state passed legislation requiring trauma informed investigation training for all law enforcement officers in Florida. However, it seems State Attorneys do not yet have that same level of training, and that is a problem for the safety of Floridians.”

For media inquiries, please contact Florida NOW Legislative Director Kat Duesterhaus at 772.267.6353.

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About Florida National Organization for Women (NOW):
The Florida National Organization for Women is Florida’s most historic non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of women and girls for over 50 years.

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