In Florida, a “People’s Plan” for Change

The People's Convention of Florida at Occupy Orlando.

Photo by Rebecca Cruz.

In early December, representatives from 17 of Florida’s Occupy sites, including Tampa, Miami, St. Petersburg, and Tallahassee, gathered in Orlando’s City Hall for “The People’s Convention,” the first meeting to unite Occupiers from around the state. The goal of the convention was to allow discussion about how Occupy groups could best move forward together.

Attendees drafted  “The People’s Plan” for desired changes through legislation: a guaranteed living wage, increased state funding for education, and more public transportation. A group of about 50 protesters marched to the state capitol in Tallahassee on Jan. 10, the first day of the Florida legislative session, to present the plan to legislators. But when the group arrived, they were barred from the visitor’s gallery. They plan to try again during the next legislative session in April.

Attendees say the People’s Convention was a positive development and hope it will spark a trend of coordination among Occupy groups within states.

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Jennifer Kaye wrote this article for 9 Strategies to End Corporate Rule, the Spring 2012 issue of YES! Magazine. Jennifer is a YES! intern.

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