Latest news with #RiverofGrass'
San Francisco Chronicle
18 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Environmental groups sue to block migrant detention center rising in Florida Everglades
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit Friday to block a migrant detention center dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz' now being built on an airstrip in the heart of the Florida Everglades. The lawsuit seeks to halt the project until it undergoes a stringent environmental review as required by federal and state law. There is also supposed to be a chance for public comment, according to the lawsuit filed in Miami federal court. Critics have condemned the facility as a cruel and inhumane threat to the ecologically sensitive wetlands, while Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials have defended it as part of the state's aggressive push to support President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. The center is set to begin processing people who entered the U.S. illegally as soon as next week, DeSantis said Friday on 'Fox and Friends.' 'The state of Florida is all in on President Trump's mission,' DeSantis said on a tour of the facility. 'There needs to be more ability to intake, process and deport.' The state is plowing ahead with building a compound of heavy-duty tents, trailers and other temporary buildings at the Miami Dade County-owned airfield in the Big Cypress National Preserve, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of downtown Miami. The state Republican Party has even begun selling T-shirts and other merchandise emblazoned with the 'Alligator Alcatraz' slogan. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity as well as the Friends of the Everglades, an organization started decades ago by 'River of Grass' author and Everglades champion Marjory Stoneman Douglas to battle the original plan to build the airport. They are represented by the Earthjustice law firm and other attorneys including Florida writer Carl Hiaasen's son, Scott Hiaasen. 'This site is more than 96% wetlands, surrounded by the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is habitat for the endangered Florida panther and other iconic species,' said Eve Samples, Friends of the Everglades executive director, in a news release. 'This scheme is not only cruel, it threatens the Everglades ecosystem that state and federal taxpayers have spent billions to protect.' The lawsuit names several federal and state agencies as defendants, including the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. DeSantis's spokesman said they will oppose the lawsuit in court. 'Governor Ron DeSantis has insisted that Florida will be a force multiplier for federal immigration enforcement, and this facility is a necessary staging operation for mass deportations located at a pre-existing airport that will have no impact on the surrounding environment," said spokesman Bryan Griffin in an email. "We look forward to litigating this case.' A protest led by Native Americans who consider the land sacred is planned near the site on Saturday. There are 15 remaining traditional Miccosukee and Seminole tribal villages in Big Cypress, as well as ceremonial and burial grounds and other gathering sites. ___ ___
Miami Herald
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Woman celebrates her 100th birthday with family she lovingly guided to success
This year's Women's History Month brought me an email about a determined woman who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. It's always uplifting to hear the stories of people in our community who have persevered through it all. And especially when they reach 100 years old. Andrea Tai lovingly told me about her mother-in-law, Isemenia Tai. 'I am writing to share the story of a remarkable woman,' she said before gratefully acknowledging the accomplishments of a life. Isemenia was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in February 1925 and was a small business owner there until she came to this country as an immigrant in 1978, Andrea Tai said. 'Against any number of odds, Isemenia raised six children and four stepchildren and cared for numerous grandchildren, guiding them all with a firm but loving hand with second husband Michael Tai. 'Although she never finished high school herself, she doggedly secured excellent educations for her children, many of whom became professionals. 'One son, Lloyd Tai, was the chief operating officer of now-defunct Air Jamaica. My husband is director of artists and repertory at New World Records. Another son, Karl Tai-Loy, runs a martial arts school in Jamaica, while other children and grandchildren have become doctors, nurses and professionals in an array of technical and artistic fields,' she said. Andrea Tai said her mother-in-law was tragically widowed in July 2000, when a hit-and-run accident took her husband's life. 'But she remains undaunted. At the age of 100, my mother-in-law still lives independently in the same home she's lived in since first coming to Miami, rising each morning at 6 a.m. to tend her garden, where she raises flowers, fruits and vegetables.' On Feb. 8, friends and family from Jamaica and around the country gathered to honor her. 'Her life and achievements are a testimony to her resilience, faith and devotion to her family,' Andrea Tai said. Happy 100th Birthday, Isemenia! SUPPORT THE EVERGLADES APRIL 4 'River of Grass' author Marjory Stoneman Douglas founded Friends of the Everglades in 1969 when she was 79. Although her eyesight was failing, she was determined to create awareness about the potential destruction of a large portion of the Everglades. Construction on a huge jetport had begun, but Stoneman Douglas and others were able to stop it after just one runway was built in the fragile wetlands. It's still there in the Big Cypress. Friends of the Everglades continues to fight on and will host its fourth annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Legacy Celebration luncheon at 11 a.m. April 4, at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The theme is 'Our Two National Treasures: Clyde Butcher and America's Everglades.' Butcher, the renowned photographer famous for his large-scale black & white pictures, will serve as keynote speaker. He is also an acclaimed humanitarian, environmentalist and recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Butcher's wife, Nikki Butcher, and daughter Jackie will also attend. Additionally, the group will present the prestigious Marjory Stoneman Douglas Defender of the Everglades Award to an environmental advocate who exemplifies her legacy and fighting spirit. This year's recipient is public interest environmental and land use lawyer Richard Grosso. His practice is dedicated to supporting environmental sustainability and restoration and the protection of ecosystems and communities. The emcee will be Ron Magill, conservation and international wildlife ambassador. Co-chairs of the luncheon event are Christian Armstrong and Milda Vaivada. Sponsorships and table reservations are available. Contact Scott Brown, director of development, at 305-669-0858 or 804-461-8830 or visit MUSIC CLUB HOSTS AWARDS RECITAL Coral Gables Music Club members have been joyfully promoting interest in music and supporting talented young artists in their careers for 86 years. At its annual scholarship recital in February, the club honored 18 students in elementary through high school with its prestigious award. The 2025 recipients are: Daniel Acosta, Zoe Aldana, Marcus Bautista, Alexander Brown, Anabelle Calles, Aleksandra Deshevaia, Nicolas Marin Fumero, Luka Gekic, Valentina Gomez, Sophie Habashi, Raphael Hablich, Shanming He, Alexandra Larios, Christopher Rocha, Joshua Safont, Marianne Rose Villar-Cordova Scott, Marc Usatenko and Christopher Yang. The club's artistic director and scholarship chair, Angelica Sganga, was a scholarship recipient when she was in high school. She has a Masters in Music and Piano Performance from Florida International University and is currently a piano instructor at the University of Miami Frost Preparatory Program. Many generous benefactors contributed to the scholarship fund. Winning the Coral Gables Music Club award increases a young musician's confidence and self-esteem. Former winners are working in every field of music. There are more than two dozen on university music school faculties, and many others teach privately. Many more are members of large, first-rate symphony orchestras around the globe. Some are working in Broadway Musical Theater, while others are jazz artists, composers, arrangers, and opera singers. There is a Tony Award winner among this elite group, and another received a Duke Ellington award as the finest young pianist of jazz in the nation. For more on how to be involved, or for student eligibility, visit Write to ChristinaMMayo@ with news for this column.
