Sunday’s weather volleyed between scorching hot and a torrential downpour, and it was a fitting metaphor for the attitude of Florida’s progressive activists: Sometimes things are good, sometimes things are bad, but we will never stop fighting.
Hundreds of people, including those who were bussed in from Atlanta, gathered at Esplanade Park in Fort Lauderdale to participate in the We the People March. More than 50 organizations representing LGBTQ rights, gun safety, abortion rights, and immigration came together to protest the more than 1,000 bills that have been introduced nationwide that set back equality.
The day started with a blessing by the Ameyal Mexican Cultural Organization, then a series of speakers in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, including David Hogg from March For Our Lives, labor activist Dolores Huerta, Tony Lima of SunServe, FL Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman, actress Debbie Allen, Nik Harris of the Human Rights Campaign, and many more.
“It is important to note that this is not only an attack on the LGBT community, but it is an attack on the marginalized and underserved communities and that means people that look like me and that means people that look like you and your children,” said TransInclusive co-founder and executive director Tatiana Williams. “As a Black trans woman growing up in Liberty City, I had to fight all my life and I will continue to fight.”
In the middle of Hogg’s speech, rain came down over an undeterred crowd.
“Schools should not be slaughter houses,” he said to cheering. “If our government doesn’t change the gun laws, do you know what I think it’s time to do? I think it’s time to change the government.”
Energized by the slew of activists and speakers, the crowd lined up before the Museum of Discovery and Science and took off for the streets of downtown. Donning umbrellas and rain ponchos, wheeled friends in wheelchairs, held up homemade signs, danced to the marching band leading the way, rang cow bells, blew whistles, and screamed “No justice, no peace!”
After about a 30-minute walk through blocked off streets, the group returned to Esplanade Park as the sun began to peek out from behind the clouds. Dancers from the Ameyal Mexican Cultural Organization beat their drums and danced, children splashed in puddles, groups took selfies, and Pride flags continued to wave.
“Some days it’s going to be really sunny and beautiful, and sometimes it’s going to be pouring rain,” Hogg said. “But we stay, because we're Floridians.”
