STATE AND LOCAL PROGRESSIVE GROUPS RECOGNIZED FOR LABOR, CIVIL RIGHTS, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACHIEVEMENTS AT 1ST ANNUAL PROGRESSIVE CELEBRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Cammie Donaldson
Space Coast Progressive Alliance, Inc.
Phone: (321) 917-1960
FAX: (815) 927-0128
Email: cammiedonaldson@earthlink.net
Web: www.spacecoastprogressivealliance.org
Melbourne, FL -- January 25, 2005 – Braving the severe cold,
140 Brevard and Indian River County residents gathered Sunday, Jan.
23, 2005,
at the Space Coast Progressive Alliance's 1st Annual Progressive Celebration
at F. Burton Smith Park in Cocoa to recognize and applaud the important
work of the American Civil Liberties Union, ACORN (Association of Community
Organizations for Reform Now), Florida NAACP (National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People), SEIU (Service Employees International
Union), former Brevard County Commissioner Nancy Higgs, and Rockledge
resident Amy Tidd, leader of the Preserve Brevard campaign.
Florida ACORN and SEIU were recognized for their work to establish a
minimum wage for Florida workers. This past November, Floridians overwhelmingly
voted to establish a minimum wage indexed to the rate of inflation. More
than 300,000 Florida workers will directly benefit from the new law,
with
another 600,000 benefiting indirectly. Studies over the past decade have
shown that raising the minimum wage has a negligible impact on employment,
costing few, if any, jobs. The effect on consumers is also negligible:
a typical restaurant would need to raise the price of a $20 meal to $20.14
to cover increased costs of .7% of sales.
The Space Coast Progressive Alliance presented the awards to Tamecka
Pierce, Chair of Florida ACORN, and to Van Church, SEIU Political Coordinator
for
Central Florida.
The ACLU and Florida NAACP were recognized for their work to restore
voting rights to all citizens. More than 600,000 citizens who have served
their
sentences for past felony convictions cannot vote in Florida, due to
a law enacted shortly after the Civil War, designed to exclude newly
freed
ex-slaves from voting. ACLU and NAACP seek to bring Florida into line
with the majority of states that already automatically restore voting
and civil
rights after completion of the sentence. This is the just, fair, and
logical step to take -- for rehabilitation of offenders, for the good
of families,
and for the preservation of our democracy.
The Space Coast Progressive Alliance presented awards to local chapters
of ACLU and NAACP. Accepting on behalf of Florida ACLU was Brevard ACLU
Vice President and Chairman of the ACLU Voting Rights Committee, Kevin
Aplin. Accepting on behalf of Florida NAACP were representatives from
all three Brevard Chapters: Charles Favors, President of the South Brevard
Chapter NAACP; Alberta Wilson, President of the Central Brevard Chapter
NAACP; and Randle Clay, Vice President of the North Brevard Chapter NAACP.
Former Brevard County Commissioner Nancy Higgs was recognized for more
than 12 years of exemplary public service and a legacy of environmental
protection and preserved green space. Higgs’ reputation for hard
work and her keen desire to always seek the highest and broadest public
interest has made her a model for county commissioners and city council
members.
This past November, Brevardians overwhelmingly voted to tax themselves
a second time on behalf of wildlife habitat, open space, and the conservation
of vital natural resources. The Space Coast Progressive Alliance recognized
the leadership of Amy Tidd -- mother of two, Rockledge environmentalist,
and SCPA member -- in leading the Preserve Brevard campaign to inform
and convince voters of the value of continuing our Environmentally Endangered
Lands acquisition program.
Hosted by the Space Coast Progressive Alliance (SCPA), the 1st Annual
Progressive Celebration combined recognition awards, tabling by 17 local
organizations,
live music by local band Taylor Made, potluck social, SCPA elections,
and family activities. Organizations present with information tables
and literature
to share included: ACLU of Brevard, Brevard Biodiesel, Brevard County
Chapter of the UNA-USA, Brevard NOW, Brevard Task Force for Season for
Nonviolence
2005, Conradina Chapter Florida Native Plant Society, Democratic Women’s
Club of Palm Bay, Green Party of Brevard, Healthy Planet of Brevard,
Human Rights Campaign, Partnership for a Sustainable Future, Planned
Parenthood,
Project Response AIDS Center, Space Coast Progressive Alliance, The Sunflower
Center, Turtle Coast Sierra Club, and the Unitarian Universalist Church
of Brevard.
SCPA is a Florida nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting progressive
public policies at the local, state, and national level. To learn more
about progressive issues and happenings on the Space Coast, visit www.spacecoastprogressivealliance.org
or call (321) 917-1960.
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