Over 20 students took part in the sit-in at Senate President Don Gaetz’s office and demanded to meet with him. Security guards prevented the protesters from entering the president’s office but students rallied outside instead, chanting, “What do we want? Tuition Equity! When do we want it? Now!” After 15 minutes Sen. Gaetz bowed to their pressure and met with a delegation from the group. In the meeting students asked Gaetz to guarantee that if the bill is brought up from the floor, that he would give it a fair chance to pass.

Chrisley Carpio of University of Florida SDS was part of the delegation. After the meeting she said, “Senator Gaetz told us that he would do everything in his power to prevent tuition equity from passing. What kind of sham democracy do we have in this state where a few racist politicians can obstruct the will of the people?”

The protest continued throughout the day and more students joined the sit-in. Zachary Schultz from Florida State University SDS told Fight Back! that students plan continue protesting until the end of the legislative session on May 2. He said, “There is still a chance for tuition equity to pass. We need to do everything we can to hold these politicians’ feet to fire.”

There are two ways that tuition equity can pass without going through Senator Negron’s Appropriations Committee. It can be attached to another bill or brought up from the floor by a two-thirds majority vote. In addition to the ongoing demonstration in the capitol, Students for a Democratic Society plans to hold call-ins targeting key senators as part of their national Education for All campaign. With less than 10 days remaining in the legislative session, the fight is on for tuition equity and SDS is leading the charge.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #TuitionEquity #SenatorJoeNegron #SenatorDonGaetz

The bill has bipartisan support and great momentum behind it. The bill passed through the Florida House of Representatives as HB 851, with a vote of 81-33. Then SB 1400 passed through both the Education and Judiciary committees with votes of 5-4 and 7-2 respectively. Governor Rick Scott supports tuition equity and is prepared to sign the bill into law. The problem now is Negron.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is leading a campaign, with support on every campus, to demand in-state tuition for undocumented Florida students. SDS is spearheading the national Education for All campaign, and supports the Legalization for All movement to improve the lives of Dreamers and their parents and families.

Students for a Democratic Society is organizing a call-in April 18 to Senator Jack Latvala. Please call Senator Latvala at 727-793-2797, and demand that he opts to save Senate Bill 1400 that will grant access to higher education for thousands of Florida undocumented students.

Students will also be meeting with Senator Don Gaetz, president of the senate, at the capitol on April 21 to dissuade him from attempts to block moving the bill to the Senate floor.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #TuitionEquity #SB1400 #SenatorJoeNegron