Alert icon
We're changing our privacy policy. This stuff matters.  Learn more  Dismiss

Awake the State - Carol Osno

Loading...

Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon
Upgrade to the latest Flash Player for improved playback performance. Upgrade now or more info.
252 views
Loading...
Alert icon
Sign in or sign up now!
Alert icon

Uploaded by on Mar 9, 2011

By Franco Ripple:

Yesterday was a truly historic day for Florida, with somewhere between 12-15,000 Florida patriots standing up against this Governor and legislature. Here in Broward County, in just two weeks Kristen Pesicek and I managed to pull 1,300 people together with no budget into one of the largest rallies out of 32 statewide, but we couldn't have done it without the incredible effort of some special people.




While the tea partiers denigrated our efforts as simply a "bused-in rent-a-mob" (ironic, considering tea party groups were doing the busing up to Tallahassee yesterday), we know that a coalition of hardworking community activists, union leaders and ordinary Floridians made this happen. We will always defend our opponents' right to speak and be heard, but not the right to have their own facts.




So, a million thanks to Florida GLBT Caucus director Michael Rajner, Hollywood super-activist Andrea Schenck McKinnon, Broward Democratic area leaders Ken Evans, Tim Ross and Ron Mills, Pat Santeramo and Maggie Zalamea of the Broward Teachers Union, Nadezda Stefanovic of the AFL-CIO, Jerry Hall of the Disabled American Veterans and many, many others (my apologies if I forgot anyone). Your dedication to making our community and state better is inspiring.




None of this would have been possible without the incredible coordination at the statewide level of Susannah Randolph of Florida Watch Action, Ray Seaman of Progress Florida and others. You made it possible for us to make organizing our communities into a statewide movement.




(Of course, my most personal thanks goes to my much, much better half Ashley Ligas, without whose constant support and encouragement I'd be lost.)




While we all acknowledge that our state is facing serious fiscal challenges, yesterday we sent a strong, resonant message to Tallahassee that this Governor and legislature cannot responsibly balance our budget on the backs of teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, veterans, public employees and the working-class people of our state. Yesterday showed that those who educate our children, keep our streets safe, heal the sick, defend our country and serve our cities, counties and state will band together to form a more fair, just and perfect union. Yesterday was not the end, but just the beginning.




Again, thank you all for your efforts. Together, we won.

.Email info@awakethestate.com
Website http://www.AwakeTheState.com

  • likes, 0 dislikes

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (0)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
Loading...

Alert icon
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more