Awake the State II Attracts Union Protesters, Democratic Officials Across Florida

It wasn't the 10,000-plus that turned out for "Awake the State" rallies back in March, but "Save Our State Again" gathered respectable crowds for Tuesday's protests against the state budget.

Rallies organized by public-employee unions and liberal activist groups such as Progress Florida were staged in 24 cities across Florida, with some of the largest turnouts in Orlando, St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale. A crowd of 200 congregated in St. Pete outside the district office of Republican state Rep. Jeff Brandes. Another 200 reportedly were on hand in Orlando.

In Fort Lauderdale, 150 protesters waved signs at Stranahan Park. Joining in were Democratic state Rep. Perry Thurston, state Sen. Eleanor Sobel, state Rep. Franklin Sands and Broward Democratic Party Chairman Mitch Caesar (pictured from left to right), said rally organizer Franco Ripple, of the Florida Young Democrats.

A rally in Delray Beach attracted 120, and an Ocala protest, held outside the district office of Republican state Rep. Dennis Baxley, drew 100.

Following up on demonstrations that drew more than 10,000 protesters in 30 cities on the opening day of the Legislature on March 8, "Awake the State Again" took aim at the $69.7 billion budget passed by lawmakers last week.

Tallahassee protest organizer Barbara DeVane said the spending plan made "devastating cuts to education, health care, social programs and environmental protection."