(This article is written by Michael Newberger)
- Joshua Santos
- Members of the community and activists listen to Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry kick off the annual world gathering
With one week until the Republican Party moves into Tampa, the dissent has already begun.
Food Not Bombs, a social justice organization dedicated to encouraging a “post capitalist future,” has set up camp in Voice of Freedom Park for their annual world gathering. About 40 people mingled around the park, manning tables with flyers, designing banners and talking to residents of the West Tampa neighborhood who stopped in to see what the commotion was about as the group kicked off the events Monday night with speakers and bands.
Food Not Bombs is planning a variety of events throughout the week, ranging from workshops on encouraging community action to entertainment such as theater presentations and bands. They will also be providing meals to the public, with an emphasis on feeding the homeless.
Their methods are rather different from the throngs of protesters who will descend on Tampa for the Republican Convention. Rather than the traditional means of protest, members say it’s less about railing against injustices but rather fighting them through community outreach.
This article appears in Aug 16-22, 2012.