Dealing with Frustration – Riots or Rational Action

(Weekly Update #202)

Dear Members and Advocates,

Thirty years ago, Los Angeles, California erupted in a series of riots in response to the beating of an unarmed black man by police officers. After nearly two months of frustrated and angry citizens hitting the streets in protest of Police brutality against the minority communities, Rodney King, the victim of the beating that was the catalyst for the riots, spoke at a press conference addressing his community. Instead of encouraging the rioters, King asked the now famous question, “can we all get along?”

May 1, 1992 was the day that Rodney King called for an end to the violence. For those of us old enough to remember the incident, it barely seems that long ago. Sadly, here we are, thirty years later and just emerging from protests over the murder of George Floyd and it feels like not much has changed. If riots then didn’t change anything, will riots today work? If not, what will it take? What will it take to effectuate change in a subject of such importance to so many people? What will it take when the subject is so controversial and polarizing? What will it take when emotion has overtaken logic and you can no longer argue reason because the other side just doesn’t want to hear it?

As I write this weekly update, I ponder our organization’s motto, “with unity comes change” and I still believe that it does. I chose this update’s topic because we spent too much time last week arguing amongst ourselves. We had to defend our organization from the comments of a few angry members and other organizations who were upset that FAC didn’t take a more active role in a protest that took place seven years ago in Tallahassee, or didn’t have a more vocal role in a documentary that was filmed around that time (which, incidentally, we had no say in) or that even now, we’re not more “aggressive” or “out there”.

Look, we get that you are angry, frustrated and exhausted from fighting for years. We are also. We understand that you think the best way to get our point across is by doing something radical. We’re not saying you’re wrong and we respect your choice to fight this battle however you chose. But don’t be angry at FAC because we’re not going to take the same approach. Thankfully, there are several organizations out there which have employed several distinct methods and you have the freedom to align yourself with the one or ones that best fit you. Anyone who thinks we are not being “aggressive” enough need only read the pleadings in one of the many lawsuits we have helped launch over the past few years. Anyone who thinks we are not “out there” enough needs to attend one of our many meet and greets or outreach efforts to get our fellow registrants off the streets or support family members who are struggling to cope.

We might not be aggressive in the style you want, or our meaning of “out there” is not the same as yours, but we’re incredibly proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a difficult climate and our plan is to stay the course, keep our litigation active, continue being there for registrant families, actively bring more members on board so that when we ask for people to oppose bills the response is significant and continue to maintain positive and professional relationships with stakeholders from both sides of the table in an effort to end this irrational, unreasonable and ineffective scheme that we are ALL fighting against.

Over the years that our site has been in operation, we’ve become used to moderating comments from trolls, vigilantes and others who call us names and suggest ideas for what should be done to us. But the most hurtful comments we receive are from other registrants who feel it’s somehow helping the cause to publicly bash FAC or our efforts. It is so unnecessary and hurtful to the cause. We should all be better than that.

Nobody knows which approach will ultimately yield the most success in our movement, but until we have that indication, it’s probably best to continue working all angles. We might not be members of the same organization (though you certainly can belong to multiple), but we are fortunately not in a situation where we need to pick sides here. When it comes to abolishing the registry, we are all on the same side and I’m sure we all look forward to the day where it’s unnecessary to be a member of any team in this unfortunate league.

Until that time comes, to everyone receiving the FAC Weekly Updates or who follows our website I remind you of our motto, “with unity comes change” and the words of Rodney King, “can we all just get along?” …I think we can. Let’s all keep fighting the good fight as best we know how.

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee

ANNOUNCEMENTS

See Calendar of Events – Click Here for Calendar, and double click on the event to view details and RSVP instructions. Keep up with Meet-and-Greets in your area, Support groups, Membership Calls, and other events.  For questions, contact membership@floridaactioncommittee.org or call 833-273-7325,Option 1.

• Join the County Coordinator Team.  Only requirement is your desire to HELP us organize your county.  Training for new Coordinators is available April 1-30,   Choose best day/time for you, join once or as often as you can: Sundays 7-8pm, Wednesdays 7-8 pm and/or Thursdays 1-2pm:  Dial (760) 548-9898.
• New Member Orientation Call Thursday April 14 at 8pm.  No Agenda.  Learn more about FAC, ask questions, get resources, volunteer. Dial 319-527-3487
• Meet and Greet in Fort Myers Saturday April 23 from 1:00-4:00 pm.  For details and location, RSVP to olivia1.fac@gmail.com or call/text 941-315-7914.

SOME HEADLINES FROM THE WEEK

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ‘pedophile’ comments must stop

In our toxic and brain-optional political climate, certain pundits, politicos and random Twitter dingbats have decided to spend the early days of National Child Abuse Prevention Month shooting the label ‘pedophile’ around like a spitball. It’s outrageous, several…read more

SC: Deputy charged with taking money from registrants.

A former Clarendon County, South Carolina deputy has been arrested for taking money from registrants. According to this news report, Sabrina Mellerson is accused of taking money from sex offender registrants. Apparently Sheriff’s Offices in South Carolina are allowed…read more

The Dobbs Wire: RESISTANCE building against notorious Texas ‘shadow prison’ where people are locked up indefinitely for imaginary future crimes!

Protestors make alarming allegations about statewide sex offender treatment program in Littlefield By Elizabeth Fitz LITTLEFIELD, Texas – Protestors gathered in front of the Civil Commitment Facility in Littlefield on Saturday morning to shine a light on the…read more