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Draft:Cameron Driggers

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  • Comment: So many of the sources are based on Florida school students activity/advocacy. Please if that is the community founded, the community is likely to attain WP:SIRS. Notability isn't inherited. Safari ScribeEdits! Talk! 11:11, 15 June 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: User:Mrwriter2.0, after a quick review notability doesn't seem to be the main issue, neutrality and presentation is. When I read this I feel like I'm reading a promotional bio rather then a neutral presentation of their notable actions and it seems like there is a lot of stuff added that may not be completely notable and adds some fluff. I tend to err on the less is more side, especially on the people that are advocating for specific causes. My personal suggestion is to look at WP:NPOV for presentation tips. Another tip is it appears there is some WP:Synth issues as well, an example is the description of his leadership in the lead as "leading role" is unsourced and also describing his criticism of DeSantis as "Sharp" is not int he sourcing. That is a subjective description. Unbroken Chain (talk) 03:30, 22 March 2024 (UTC)


Cameron Driggers (Born 2004) is an American political activist and social entrepreneur currently serving as the executive director and founder of Youth Action Fund. An advocate for progressive politics, Driggers has been a student organizer within the state of Florida, where he took a part in leading demonstrations such as the 2022 school walkouts in response to the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.[1] Driggers also publishes political commentary from outlets such as The Advocate[2] and The Washington Blade[3].

Personal Life

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Driggers attended Rymfire Elementary School,[4] Indian Trails Middle School,[5] and Flagler Palm Coast High School.[6]

Driggers is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Florida.[7]

Activism

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2022

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School Walkouts
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In protest of the Parental Rights In Education Act, often referred to by critics as the "Don't Say Gay Bill", Driggers worked with lead organizer Jack Petocz to organize a state-wide walkout of students at both high schools and colleges. Thousands of students participated in the walkout.[8] At their own high school, Flagler Palm Coast, over five-hundred students participated.[9] The school administration retaliated by suspending Petocz indefinitely.[9]

Driggers (far left) leads a high school walkout alongside Jack Petocz.

Following Petocz's suspension, Driggers organized a petition drive to demand his friend's reinstatement, which collected over 7,500 signatures[10]. Furthermore, Driggers also organized a consecutive protest outside of Flagler Palm-Coast High School with the help of a LGBTQ+ Veterans group which featured "Section 93 of the Key West Sea to Sea Flag, a flag once reputed to be the longest on the planet–1.25 miles".[11][12]

School Board Protests and Campaigns
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Driggers' school district in Flagler County, Florida, faced national backlash after a sitting school board member filed a police report on district employees over the inclusion of certain pieces of literature within school libraries.[13] The premise of the police report was that the literature in question, of which the content was primarily centered on LGBTQ+ experiences and other social issues, was too inappropriate for students.[13] In response, Driggers helped execute a protest at the grounds of his school board which involved distributing the books in contention. During the demonstration, student protestors clashed with followers of a far-right militia group known as the Three Percenters.[14]

In following months, Driggers led a student-led campaign to replace incumbent school board members endorsed by Governor Ron Desantis.[15] Driggers, alongside his volunteers, engaged in a months-long endeavor to elect LGBTQ+ allies in their place through grassroots campaigning. Driggers' initiative garnered national coverage after both of its endorsed candidates prevailed on the August primary, with one winning outright and another advancing to the general election.[16][17]

2023

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Driggers speaks at a Walkout 2 Learn Rally in Orlando, Florida alongside Anna Eskamani, Jack Petocz and others.
"Walkout 2 Learn"
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Driggers worked alongside fellow LGBTQ+ activist Zander Moricz to organize a state-wide school walkout on April 24th, 2023.[18][19] The walkout included participants at over 300 high schools within Florida.[18] Driggers also spoke at a subsequent rally at Orlando City Hall following the walkout alongside State Representative Anna Eskamani, Jack Petocz and others.[20]

Sit-In At Speaker McCarthy's Office
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Driggers (center) and other protestors conduct sit-in within Speaker McCarthy's office at the US Capitol Building.

On September 28th, 2023, Driggers participated in a sit-in alongside seventeen other youths affiliated with the Sunrise Movement inside the office of former Speaker of The House Kevin McCarthy in protest of.[21] Driggers was ultimately arrested by Capitol Police after refusing to disperse. The demonstration was conducted in response to the threat of a government shutdown posed by fiscal disagreements between Speaker McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Founding Youth Action Fund
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Driggers founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Youth Action Fund in late 2023. He was joined in this endeavor by fellow Gen-Z activists Jack Petocz, Will Larkins and Maxx Fenning.[22]

Youth Action Fund's stated purpose is to financially and strategically support young activists in Florida through micro-grants and free advising services.[23] The organization also conducts its own political actions across the state.

Driggers claims that his organization invests in the grassroots organizing of young Floridians that have been neglected by the established non-profits in the state.[24]

2024

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Child Labor Advocacy
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On January 16th, 2024 Driggers led a group of students affiliated with Youth Action Fund to occupy the Florida State Capitol Office of Representative Linda Chaney,[25] who had faced national backlash for authoring HB-49, legislation that would significantly reduce child labor protections in the State of Florida. Driggers demanded that Chaney meet with young workers and withdraw the legislation.[26] The effort failed, as HB-49 later passed through committee and was adopted by the Florida House of Representatives on February 1st.[27]

DMV Die-Ins
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Driggers (Back row, far left) and other demonstrators protest outside the Gainesville, Fla. Department of Motor Vehicles.

On February 9th, 2024 Driggers took a leading role in conducting a coordinated Die-In at Department of Motor Vehicle offices in major cities across Florida, including Miami, Gainesville, Orlando and Tampa.[28][29] The demonstrations were in response to a leaked memo authored by Deputy Executive Director of the Florida DMV that informed County Tax Collectors of a policy change which would prevent Transgender Floridians from changing the gender marker on their state-issued drivers licenses.[30]

Climate Activism
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Driggers is a proponent of action on climate change within Florida.[31] On January 24, 2024 Driggers co-hosted a large assembly of youth at the Florida State Capitol to lobby legislators for more environmentally cautious policies. [32][33]

Driggers has similarly led a coalition of student organizations at the University of Florida, aimed at passing a resolution calling for a campus-wide Green New Deal through its elected student government. Driggers co-authored the five-volume resolution, which mandates adoption of the "Climate Action Plan 2.0", greater transparency, divestment from fossil fuels, a pledge for clean research, and a call for a just transition.[34] It was adopted unanimously by the Student Senate on February 21.

This resolution by UF's Student Government is so far the first and only of any public university in the United States.[35] Across the five volumes, there was over 30 establishing details clauses and nearly 25 specific demands. The resolutions demands will be brought to the university's Board of Trustees for further enactment.[36]

Palestine Encampments

Driggers was an organizer of a prolonged encampment at the University of Florida as a part of the national wave of Pro-Palestine protests that took place on college campuses[37][38]. Driggers, in a joint letter issued by seven Florida and national free-speech organizations, criticized the leadership of UF and other public universities within Florida who authorized force to disperse student protestors.[39]

Community Service Projects and Other Accolades

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As a youth, Driggers took part in creating several community service projects. These include: a project to support newly enrolled students throughout the school year[40] and a project to curtail food waste[41]. During the latter, Driggers lobbied the Flagler Beach City Commission to take action on waste.[42]

In November 2022, Driggers' two-person team won first place in the second annual Mednexus Innovation Challenge hosted by the University of North Florida.[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Levesque, Brody (2024-03-11). "Settlement & clarification reached in Florida's Don't Say Gay law". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  2. ^ "What It's Like to Be an LGBTQ+ High Schooler in DeSantis's Florida". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  3. ^ Driggers, Cameron (2023-08-28). "School boards are the battlefield for LGBTQ+ Rights". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  4. ^ Ryan, Shaun. "Rymfire student group welcomes newcomers to school". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  5. ^ Ryan, Shaun. "Students speak out at Flagler Beach town hall meeting". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  6. ^ McLean, Joe (2022-03-03). "Students across Florida stage walkouts in protest of 'Don't Say Gay' legislation". WJXT. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  7. ^ Alonso, Johanna. "Florida's LGBTQ+ College Students Face a Tough Choice: Stay or Go?". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  8. ^ "Florida students stage school walkouts over 'Don't Say Gay' bill". NBC News. 2022-03-03. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  9. ^ a b Ross, Nikki. "Student organizer of FL's 'Don't Say Gay' school walkout suspended from Flagler school". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  10. ^ Call, Nikki Ross and James. "FPCHS junior Jack Petocz allowed back in school following 'Say Gay' walkout". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  11. ^ FlaglerLive (2022-03-08). "A Storied Gay-Pride Flag Doubles Down Outside FPC as Veterans Lead Protest of Student Leader's Suspension". FlaglerLive. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  12. ^ Levesque, Brody (2022-03-10). ""The Kids Are Alright," gay vets & Gen Z take on Florida's anti-LGBTQ+ law". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  13. ^ a b Chavez, Nicole (2021-11-17). "A Florida school board member filed a criminal complaint over a Black queer memoir". CNN. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  14. ^ FlaglerLive (2021-11-17). "Student Protesters Face Hail of Vile Obscenities, Taunts and Threats From Group Claiming to Speak For Children". FlaglerLive. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  15. ^ Kane, Christopher (2022-08-05). "Youth activists organize 'Recall Flagler County School Board' & campaign". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  16. ^ Kane, Christopher (2022-08-26). "Fla. student activists oust anti-LGBTQ school board members". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  17. ^ Villarreal, Daniel (2022-08-26). "Florida teens successfully ousted two anti-LGBTQ "lunatics" from a local school board". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  18. ^ a b Nast, Condé (2023-04-20). "Florida Students Are Taking Their Education Into Their Own Hands". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  19. ^ "Tampa Bay students walk out in protest of state education policies". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  20. ^ "Orlando residents rally against LGBTQ legislation". mynews13.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  21. ^ "Flagler County youth organizer Cameron Driggers among protestors arrested at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's office". Observer Local News. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  22. ^ "Daytona Beach News-Journal Online". www.news-journalonline.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  23. ^ "Florida Student Creates Action Fund for Young Advocates | BestColleges". www.bestcolleges.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  24. ^ Rasura, Mary (2024-03-04). "Youth Action Fund's Bold Bid to Boost Young Voices". Out South Florida. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  25. ^ "Youth weigh in on bill that would thwart Florida's child labor laws". baynews9.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  26. ^ "Protesters against GOP bill to weaken child labor laws arrive at Sen. Chaney's office". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  27. ^ "2024 Session: Florida House passes bill that allows teens to work over 40 hours a week". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  28. ^ Kane, Christopher (2024-02-10). "Teens stage 'die-in' protests against Florida's anti-trans driver's license policy". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  29. ^ McNeill, Zane (2024-02-09). "Florida Activists Protest Anti-Transgender Policy, Organize Die-Ins Outside DMVs". Truthout. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  30. ^ Mitchell, Hilary (2024-02-10). "Hundreds of trans people stage dramatic 'die-in' protests across Florida". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  31. ^ Engelfried, Nick (2024-03-20). "Student-led climate action is flourishing in DeSantis's Florida". Waging Nonviolence. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  32. ^ "The largest youth activist gathering sets its sights on the Florida Capitol". WLRN. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  33. ^ Perry, Mitch (2024-01-24). "Youth climate activists come to Tallahassee, calling for 'immediate and bold action' • Florida Phoenix". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  34. ^ Veuer, ZMG- (2024-02-22). "University of Florida Adopts Green New Deal". Fort Bend Herald. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  35. ^ Lonas, Lexi (2024-02-21). "University of Florida becomes first public college student government to pass Green New Deal resolution". The Hill. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  36. ^ Uteuova, Aliya (2024-02-21). "University of Florida student senate passes 'green new deal'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  37. ^ Burga, Solcyré (2024-04-30). "University of Florida Says It's 'Not a Daycare' After Arrests". TIME. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  38. ^ Burga, Solcyré (2024-04-30). "University of Florida Says It's 'Not a Daycare' After Arrests". TIME. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  39. ^ "Groups want to meet with Florida officials about pro-Palestinian protests". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  40. ^ "Rymfire Roadrunner THINK team takes new students under its wings". Observer Local News. 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  41. ^ Ryan, Shaun. "Indian Trails students fight hunger, food waste". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  42. ^ Ryan, Shaun. "Students speak out at Flagler Beach town hall meeting". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  43. ^ FlaglerLive (2022-11-17). "FPC's Cameron Driggers and Roymara Louissaint Win MedNexus Innovation Challenge With Sleep App". FlaglerLive. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
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