Florida Copycat is Moving Forward

From: Felipe Matos of Students Working for Equal Rights

On March 17, I personally walked the steps up the Florida’s capitol to deliver more than 2,700 signatures to State Senate President Mike Haridopolis. Although Senator Haridopolis and Senator Anitere Flores have received copies of the petition they have moved forward with making Florida another “show me your paper state”. These so called leaders chose their political party’s interest instead of your well being.

Every minute that passes our opposition moves closer and closer to their goal of making Florida a place that is not safe for communities of color. Although we had an amazing head start and our voices have been heard it’s time for us to make more noise. A week ago, the Judiciary Committee in the Senate chaired by Senator Anitere Flores voted on passing the bill in that committee. What’s next? The Budget Committee will have a hearing this Wednesday to vote on a bill that could potentially make life virtually impossible for millions of Latinos in Florida.

I just hope that Senator JD Alexander, chair of the Budget committee, gives us the opportunity to speak. In the last committee meeting Senator Anitere Flores moved this racial profiling bill in the last 15 minutes of the committee meeting without giving a chance for nearly 100 people to voice their sentiments on such an important piece of legislation.

It’s very clear now that they are trying to politick with our lives. The question left to answer is where do you fit in all of this? Well, organizers from Massachusetts have come to help us organize our immigrant community in Miami and in the Panhandle. You could also be part of the resistance, too. Call everyone you know and tell them your personal story. Let’s tell the world why immigrants are part of the solution not the problem. We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines of history anymore. If you are like me and want to do more, please contact the Florida Immigrant Coalition or Students Working for Equal Rights. We are most powerful when we are united in moments of uncertainty.  

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