On Friday, March 30 at 12:00 p.m., Awake Orlando will recognize State Representative Eric Eisnaugle with the title of “Jim Crow Legislator” for his continued support and advocacy of HB 1355, also known as Florida’s Voter Suppression Bill.
The event, to be held at Eisnaugle’s district office, located at 2212 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, will feature speaker Phyllis Hancock of the A. Philip Randolph Institute and other community leaders discussing the impact of voter disenfranchisement on their communities.
Florida’s HB 1355 and other states’ changes to the election process could impact up to five million voters in November’s election. Rev. Charles McKenzie of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition says HB 1355 is a “vicious assault on the epicenter of democracy–the right to vote.” Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice, in giving their official position on HB 1355, said, “the State of Florida has not met its burden of proof under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.” The bill was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott on May 19, 2011.
Awake Orlando, the local chapter of Awake the State, is not only taking on the issue of voter suppression but holding local politicians like Rep. Eisnaugle who support HB 1355 accountable to their constituents as well. By publicly challenging the actions of those in office, Awake Orlando helps keep policymakers accountable to the interest of everyday Floridians.
Awake Orlando is a grassroots network of Greater Orlando citizens fighting to reject devastating budget cuts, stop the assault on middle class families, and invest in Floridians again.
Learn more about Awake Orlando online at www.facebook.com/AwakeOrlando or www.AwaketheState.com. For more information contact: Mayra Uribe, 407-721-3433
