Masking for a Friend Rally

United Faculty of Florida and UF Graduate Assistants United members gathered at Tigert Hall on Friday, August 20, 2021 to protest the lack of COVID-19 precautions in place for the upcoming fall semester at UF . UFF and UF-GAU brought a list of four demands to the protest: 

1. Three weeks of online classes as soon as possible to allow time for students to get vaccinated
2. Vaccines required and twice weekly testing for those with exemptions
3. Mask mandate for all indoor activities and large outdoor activities
4. Honest and detailed COVID-19 statistics, including daily updates

Several speakers talked during the protest, including Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola, Alachua County Education Association President Carmen Ward, UF professors and graduate assistants.

Kiara Cline

Kiara is a UF student who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in photography. Although her background is in artistic photography, Kiara's passion for photojournalism has always been the most important to her. Kiara is also very passionate about music, and in her spare time collects records and attends as many live music events as she can. 

Lauren Witte

Lauren is a third year photojournalism student pursuing a minor in Spanish. She has shot photos for Fresh Take Florida and the Gainesville Sun. Lauren likes roller skating in her free time.