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File
Title
John Cata
Date(s)
- June 11, 2011 (Creation)
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John Cata is a Vietnam War veteran and former civil rights activist who lived at Umoja Village for almost its entire duration. He was one of the Village’s most well-known residents whose story was often covered by the media. Born in New York City, Cata played an important part in the civil rights era in Miami by signing the first labor contract for Jackson Memorial Hospital as the chairman of the negotiating committee. Shortly after, he was drafted for the Vietnam War. Cata later returned to Miami to do research on himself at the downtown library. In the process, he ended up living outdoors. He drifted into Umoja Village one day, and decided to stay. Over time, Cata became an ardent believer in the cause and was noted by others to have become completely transformed during his stay at Umoja Village. He gradually became invited to TBL organizers’ meetings. When the Village burnt down, Cata was one of the most vocal protesters and was arrested by the police (he was later arrested again in relation to a housing liberation). Lenght: 49:38