CPA Participates in Florida Coalition of Conscience Second Anniversary

About 200 progressive activists gathered in Tallahassee, Florida in early March to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the historic sit-in and march on the capitol led by CPA Board Members Sen. Kendrick Meek (Flemming Fellow-96) and former Rep. Tony Hill. The 2000 march protested Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s "One Florida" initiative. Coalition members believe that the plan has failed to produce positive results for women and minorities in higher education and state contracting.

CPA’s CEO Tim McFeeley, State Network Director Tracie Pough, and Southeast Regional Director Diallo Brooks joined Meek, Hill, actor Alec Baldwin, and a host of legislators and representatives from the civil rights, voting rights, labor, faith and grassroots communities for the anniversary events.
The People for the American Way Foundation, which organized the events, has worked to build a coalition to increase Florida voter turnout through its Arrive with Five initiative. As part of the second anniversary celebration, a leadership training was held to provide an opportunity for grassroots, community and student activists to discuss strategies for encouraging voter participation and protecting voters’ rights in the 2002 election. CPA organized a communications workshop to assist advocates in framing progressive messages and strategies. While in Florida, Brooks and Pough also conducted meetings with state legislators and advocates. To read a summary of the events, please visit People for the American Way Foundation’s website here.

Florida A&M University Students Andrew Gillum and Candice Lenoir participate in an exercise during a CPA-organized workshop on framing progressive messages. Gillum, the FAMU Student Body President, received CPA’s 2001 Emerging Leader award in December.

People for the American Way Board Member Carole Shields looks on as CPA State Network Director Tracie Pough addresses Coalition of Conscience members during a standing-room-only prayer breakfast.