Tragedy in A-cola (& RIP)

Updated Saturday, March 19 @ 7 PM (Cali Time)

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend" Martin Luther King, Jr.

A-cola is a regional gathering that happens in the Florida pan-handle in the Apalachicola National  Forest off Wright Lake Road. One person was killed and two seriously wounded on March 5. The suspect in the shooting, Clark Mayers, is being charged with one count of first-degree murder as well as aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Smiley (Jacob Cardwell) was killed

Dice (Wesley Jones) was critically injured

The person suspected of shooting both Smiley and Dice is Clark Mayers and he also is in the hospital as he was beaten and stabbed during the incident.  All the way around tragedy for the people involved and this family as a whole. Violence begets violence. Be the one to stand up for peace in the face of violence. For the latest info from the mainstream media, click here. 

There have been two GoFundMe campaigns set up to help Smiley's family with end of life expenses and Dice's family with medical expenses. I don't know the people who are focalizing these efforts, but here are the links if you wish to contribute:

• Smiley End of Life Expenses Go Fund Me.( Account managed by Smiley's Mom).
• Dice's Medical Expenses Go Fund Me.

Even if you don't have $$ to help, please send loving energy to all our family who have been part of this tragedy.

My heartfelt condolences and loving energy are heading towards everyone who experienced this tragedy and I hope that a thousand heart songs about violence prevention are on-going now and will continue into the future. 

I spoke to long time family the night of March 13 who said that Dice will survive, but there is a call for people to send healing energy, prayers, love, etc.   Dice has a bullet lodged in his spine and the doctors think he will never walk again and may be permanently paralyzed. However, rainbow magic is strong and if we all put our positive and healing energy towards Dice, he may walk again. 

There were two separate councils at the site where the shooting happened and both councils agreed to move to a new location in the same forest.  Family on the land at the new location are continuing to council, grieve, and heal.  Shanti Sena workshops are happening.  

An alter , 2 feet side and 3 feet high, was created for Smiley and stories, memories have been being shared on the land.  Lot's of prayers and songs. 

If you are in the area and can share some green energy, your gift would be deeply appreciated. Also, organic fruits and veggies would be a great way to assist with the healing as our family needs strong and health bodies to move forward. I don't have an exact location but my guess is if you're in the area, you know where.

A friend sent me this update on 3/14 @ 2 PM:

There is still a small gathering in the Appalachicola Forest (in a different location), and the family there expects to gather for five more days. They have way too much food and welcome family to come join them if you are seeking a place to be and connect. This is a mellow safe space where family are trying to heal and get back to what they do best. Councils, main circle, shanti sena, all the basics. Out of respect for recent events, this is a NO DRINKING gathering. Its at 348 c off forest service road 13 in the Acola forest.