Gabriela Rodriguez

@UF @UFJSchool Alum. Work in: @WuftNews @SpoonUniversity

[Herbert Lowe @herbertlowe]

Seven @UF @UFJSchool students and four from @FAMU_1887 @FAMUSJGC82 joined me, @miralowe and two other advisers for an eight-day, 2,800-mile #reporting trip through Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. We dubbed ourselves #UFxFAMU1963.
https://t.co/ni0773nQAu

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

Check out my individual page for #UFxFAMU1963: https://t.co/06yG0eUo0y

I feel so lucky to have been selected to participate in this special project. It truly is an experience I’ll never forget.

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

#UFxFAMU1963 is live! Experience our travels across the Civil Rights Trail by viewing our website. Don’t forget to view each of our individual projects and our documentary. Can’t wait to see what you all think of it!
https://t.co/ZPwvWFRpMf

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

Here we go!!!! And yes, the exclamation points were necessary.

[Herbert Lowe @herbertlowe]

Here’s a peek at a 25-minute @WUFTNews report that my @UFJSchool class produced. @miralowe and I led seven @UF students, four from @FAMU_1887 and two other advisers on a spring break trip along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Our website publishes Monday; the TV report airs Tuesday.

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

We’re in Atlanta, Georgia! This is our last stop of the civil rights trail. And we’re saying goodbye with a visit to Martin Luther King Jr’s birth place and burial site. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

The deaths of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley brought the nation’s attention to Birmingham.

But the girls didn’t die in vain. Their deaths propelled the civil rights movement forward. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

We also visited 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

In 1963, members of the Ku Klux Klan placed a dynamite bomb outside the church. On September 15, the bomb exploded and resulted in a deadly aftermath. Four little Black girls were killed and many others were injured. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

I don’t know how people could so cruel, but they were. Activists like White endured harsh violence but never gave up. She fought for her freedom. Her story must be shared.

And we’ll share it. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

We had the amazing opportunity to hear from filmmaker Billy Field, former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley and civil rights pianist and activist Olivia White. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

It’s one thing to read something, but it to hear it from people who lived through the movement is another thing. It was so emotional and inspiring to hear from Olivia White.

As she recounted her stories, tears streamed down our faces and sniffles filled the room. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

Y’all already know that I’m proudly repping the #GatorNation. 😤 #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

@herbertlowe @UFJSchool Really?

[Serra Sowers @serrasowers]

After the morning in the museum, we finally got some yummy bbq at Central BBQ #UFxFAMU1963 @GabyRodriguez_4 @sydajohnson15 @paacoughlin

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

Dr. King’s final speech, “I’ve been to the mountain top,” was fascinating.

Within it, he said: “I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”

It’s almost as if he knew he was out of time. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

This is the motel where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. He later succumbed to his wounds. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

Today we’re in Memphis, Tennessee! Our first stop is at National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. #UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

#UFxFAMU1963

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

Today I learned that Arkansas is the country’s largest producer of rice. If you know me, white rice is my favorite thing to eat. No wonder I like this place so much.

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

One of my favorite moments was seeing black and white photos of Clinton’s presidency. Especially this photo of @BillClinton and @algore making their way to Orlando, Florida, in 1992. #UFxFAMU1963 @ClintonCenter

[Gabriela Rodriguez @GabyRodriguez_4]

We also visited the @ClintonCenter today! Absolutely loved learning about @BillClinton’s presidency and life. #UFxFAMU1963 #WUFTNews #FAMUSJGC