'Awake Again' Protester: Kristine Ryan

About 25 protesters assembled Tuesday outside the offices of State. Sen. Mike Bennett along Cortez Road as part of the "Awake Again" rallies held around the state. Bradenton Patch talked with some of the protesters to get their views on Gov. Rick Scott,  the recently wrapped session of the Florida Legislature and last week about voting in Florida.

Name: Kristine Ryan

Profession: Histotechnologist

How long have you lived in Bradenton?: 11 years

Why did you come out to the 'Awake Again' rally?: My main issue today was I came out because I read in an interview (State Sen.) Mike Bennett gave when he was talking about voting. And in particular when he said voting was a privilege not a right — that started me off. Then he started talking about people in Africa walking 200, 300 miles to vote. That was clearly a lie. Then he followed up by saying, 'I want them to have to have to walk across town to vote.' And my next thought was, 'Who are those people he wants to walk across town to vote?'

What do you think about Sen. Bennett?: I think Mike Bennett has had a lot of good feelings for the people. I mean he was pretty aggressive on the immigration bill, initially. But he backed off of that as far as the racial profiling aspect of it, so I respect that. But I don't like what I'm hearing about the voting thing and it makes me angry and it makes me worried.

What should Gov. Rick Scott do differently?: Pretty much everything. I think Rick Scott needs to understand he has a responsibility to try to keep Florida on a path where everyone can succeed instead of trying to pander to the billionaires. The one-percenters.