Calling the recently ended Legislature the “most anti-middle class” in state history, ‘Awake the State’ organizers have lined up rallies in two-dozen cities later this afternoon.
Similar demonstrations were held when the Legislature opened in March.
But now that lawmakers have OK’d 3 percent pay cuts for teachers, law enforcement and other government workers in the Florida Retirement System, eliminated teacher tenure, and toughened abortion and elections laws, some organizers said the crowd opposing Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-ruled Legislature is getting more diverse.
“I’ve done a lot of organizing, but I’ve never had police officers on my side until now,” said Stephanie Porta, from Orlando, an activist with Organize Now, a social justice group. “Rick Scott has been our Number 1 recruiter.”
The Palm Beach County rally is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the South County Civic Center on Jog Road, west of Delray Beach.
