Democrats Host Dialogue on Gun Violence in Tampa

The Florida Democratic Party hosted its second Cease Fire community dialogue Saturday morning in Cyrus Greene Park in Tampa.

Terrie Rizzo, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, along with State Senator Darryl Rouson, State Representative Dianne Hart, and State Representative Fentrice Driskell joined community activists, local leaders, and residents in a dialogue on gun violence prevention in communities of color.

The event was led by Clifton Addison, a gun violence survivor and coalitions director of the Florida Democratic Party. Addison wrote about his experience with gun violence in the Orlando Sentinel last month.

Addison stated, “There has been increased scrutiny of mass shooting, but after surviving being shot in my car in Miami, I found there that we are not discussing gun violence targeted at communities of color. I launched Cease Fire so we can start having these conversations and bring awareness to local communities that they are not alone and we want to help curb gun violence directed at black and brown communities.”

The Florida Democratic Party hosted an online roundtable discussion on October 8 and on October 18 the party hosted a dialogue on in Orlando. The Orlando Sentinel and Spectrum News reported on the Florida Democratic Party’s first Cease Fire meeting.