Patty was one of the first people to join our South Florida team. No one was organizing
in Miami, when Patty and I met a few years ago. Out of the 800 volunteers on the
South Florida team, a few hundred, were the direct result of Patty's help.
From the first time we met, she was direct and to the point with me "We need a
Department of Peace, c'mon let's get going." And going we did. She brought the bill to
several people in Miami and several people in Miami to me. We brought DOP buttons
and brochures to families of homicide victims, Miami Commissioners, Farrakhan
mosque members, shooting victims, drug addicts and the homeless. When there was
an opportunity, we went for it. Patty and I thought it was importannt to bring the bill,
everywhere and to everyone. To be quite honest, we never went to peace events. We
went into the *no fly zones* most folks steer clear of. We had information tables at all
kinds of events because of her support, even at her PTA meetings at Jackson High
School in Miami!
She taught me why, we must pass the Department of Peace bill. She did so by showing
me and bringing me into the trenches of gang violence, homicides, drugs, domestic
abuse, rape, the homeless and the hopeless. Patty opened my eyes and deepened my
committment. The house we were visiting while planning our Liberty City Walk for
Peace, came under AK-47 fire a few hours after we left. She said 'Oh, I hear gunshots
every night. It's not unusual." She hugged the homeless, gave them her food, her
clothes and gave them hope in front of me. She gave evicted families her bed. She
said "Oh, I'll share my daughter's bed. It's not unusual." She used her rent money, to
pay someone else's electric bill. "Oh, God will take care of me. It's not unusual." Then
she said "That girl lost her husband last week. That guy over there was shot 2 weeks
ago and she lost her boyfriend a month ago. It's not unusual. This is why, we need to
prevent violence. This is why we need to have hope. This is why we need to keep
going. This is why we need to do whatever we can, whenever we can. This is why we
need to keep sharing the bill. This is why we need to pass the Department of Peace bill.
We're losing lives. "
At her homegoing celebration today, the pastor said "Patty Macias walked with faith,
not with sight." Please remember her hope, her choices and her life. I miss her deeply.
She was my mentor, my friend and my hero. Please remember what she did for this
movement.
Ana Campos
South Florida State Coordinator
U.S. Department of Peace Campaign
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Patty Macias, a volunteer with the Department of Peace movement in South Florida,
has suddenly passed away after surviving Cancer for a 1 1/2 years. I've never met
anyone as radiant and dedicated to making the world a better place, like Patty. Patty
and her daughter Sam, live to help and care for others, help the homeless, give
unconditional love and spread peace. She and Sam helped organize the first Miami
Walk for Peace in Liberty City.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=139432075&albumId=2396130 Several of you signed up for emails because she secured information tables for the
group. She was a friend and an inspiration to me. I'm at a loss for words but I am so
grateful for the experience of knowing Patty. If you wish to attend, meet me at 11am.
Funeral services are at 11am - today - Saturday 8-22-09
MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
Address: 301 NW 9TH ST MIAMI, FL
Tel.: (305) 379-4147