On Sunday, MSNBC host Katie Phang interviewed University of South Florida student Ben Braver, who organized a student walkout on Thursday to protest decisions made by the Florida Department of Education and Governor Ron DeSantis.
The “Stand for Freedom” walkout was organized by Florida College Democrats and the Miami-based socialist “revolutionary organization” Dream Defenders because DeSantis requested for state universities to provide information on “the numbers and ages of their students who sought or received gender dysphoria treatment, including sex reassignment surgery and hormone prescriptions.”
Phang introduced snowflake Braver and state Rep. Anna Eskamani, and described the walkout as:
“Shouting ‘racist, sexist, anti-gay, Ron DeSantis go away,’ the protest was organized by the Florida College Democrats and Dream Defenders. The walkout was also prompted by the Republican governor formally requesting that state universities provide information on, quote, ‘the numbers and ages of their students who sought or received gender dysphoria treatment, including sex reassignment surgery and hormone prescriptions.”
“It remains unclear why DeSantis would need that information or what he plans to do with it. But considering DeSantis’ efforts to restrict transgender health care access in Florida and his relentless attacks on LGBTQ rights, the reasons are likely not good,” Phang added.
The media makes this “walkout” at FSU, UF, USF, UCF a major story when only about 30 people decide to protest. Don’t they know they can still have their clubs and programs? (They just won’t be state funded so they’re gonna have to put in the work to raise money for it.) pic.twitter.com/h3ULF5Ey6i
— Florida Grand (@florida_grand) February 23, 2023
She then asked Braver how the protest went and if he has any more planned.
He began by describing the walkout as “inspiring” and “amazing.”
Braver said, “That statewide walkout was one of the most inspiring moments of my life. To see the thousands of students walk out for their freedoms, for their rights, for their right to an education, for the right to access new ideas and to engage with new ideas. It was just amazing.”
He added that there are more protests planned for the future, which includes a march to the Capitol.
Watch out….they might be accused of being insurrectionists. Or is that only if Trump supporters do it?
“If you value freedom, if you’re a listener, a watcher, a reader who values freedoms, you’re Republican who values freedom. If you’re a Democrat who values freedom, if you’re Lizzo or John Oliver or Stephen Colbert or Joe Biden, and you value freedom: Help us,” Braver begged.
“Help the million college, public college students in Florida. Speak up for our rights to reclaim our narrative,” he cried. “Tell us how you think we can do better. Be the diverse thought we rely on.”
He also called on people outside of Florida, saying, “We need your help. We are scared, too,” and that “the students, the faculty and staff are scared.”
Braver added, “Help us speak our minds. We are all scared because if we have a governor who doesn’t value freedom, then what does he value?”
Sob.
