Voices From Inside the "Free Speech Zone" September 27, 2011 | WMFE - When the Florida Republican Party and the Conservative Political Action Committee held their major event in Orlando, protesters were directed to stand in specially designated zones outside the Orange County Convention Center. Sheriff Jerry Demings says he established the areas, known as "Free Speech Zones", to maintain order during the convention. All week, 90.7 has presented the voices of many of the people that were inside the hall, including Gov. Rick Scott. Today, we hear from some of the people who came to the convention to protest. The group Pink Slip Rick protested Florida Governor Rick Scott’s policies while he delivered the keynote address at the CPAC Convention inside the hall in Orlando. Susannah Randolph, executive director of Florida Watch Action organized the protest to raise awareness about Scott, who she describes as “anti-middle-class”. Darden Rice, Communications Director for the Protect Your Care campaign, points out what she believes to be the governor’s hypocrisy in fighting the new federal health care law. “The governor receives such inexpensive healthcare while he’s working to deny it to so many others.” Rice said. “He hasn’t done such a great job in the jobs department either and the jobs that he does claim to create are jobs that don’t provide great salaries or health care either so we’re holding the governor accountable for this.” “I am a school teacher of 43 years and I did testify in Tallahassee in front of the House Committee in favor of the education bill.” Morris said. But Orange County teacher Diana Moore disagrees. She stood with the protesters inside the designated area. “The problem is that when you base teacher pay on student scores, there are too many variables that we don’t control, like how many days they’re at school?” Moore said. “If you have a child who’s missed 25 days, how in the world can they pass a test? And that’s going to affect the teacher’s pay.” Protestors waved signs and banners as passengers in passing cars yelled out both cheers and catcalls. The Presidency 5 and C-PAC event included a nationally televised debate among the GOP presidential candidates and a closely watched straw poll. |
|