Dunedin High Teacher Among Hundreds Who Rallied at 'Awake the State'

Brandt Robinson was trying to put words into action.

The 14-year social studies teacher at Dunedin High School is worried the line between public and private employee is blurred.

“I just think that my job in my classroom is not to be a preacher,” Robinson said. “My job is to be a model.”

That is why Robinson helped organize the Pinellas Awake the State rally where more than 150 teachers, firefighters and other union and public workers came out to protest Gov. Rick Scott's proposed budget cuts at the intersection of McMullen Booth Road and State Road 580 Tuesday evening.

More than 30 rallies in support of teachers and public employees were held across the state.

Robinson helped organize the rally. He is a member of the Pinellas County Teachers Association.

“I don’t think it’s about saving lots of money, I think its about shifting a lot of public money,” Robinson said.

A cacaphony of horns and an occasional siren of support filled the street. Ralliers wore shirts with union names and numbers and held signs rallying support.

Some read, “Save our schools, Get rid of Scott,” and “Unions are not the enemy.”

Pauline Kerr, 47, held signs with her daughter and cockapoo Mr. Griffin.

Kerr has worked the last 12 years as a first-grade teacher at Skycrest Elementary. She also is a faculty representative on the PCTA.

"I would like to see us at the bargaining table," Kerr said.

Mr. Griffin wore a tie and sign that read, “No bones about it.”

The rally also brought out its detractors.

About 50 Tea Party and Patriots Ink members held signs across McMullen Booth Road.

Abe Munday, 59, a construction worker, held a sign and the American flag. He said he was out there to protest public employee's pensions.

“It’s my money going to them,” Munday said. The sign he held read, “I have to pay for my retirement you pay for yours.”

Joe Paige, a member of Patriots' Ink, said he was able to cut out of work a little early to make it to the rally. He was impressed with the turnout on both sides.

“The man (Scott) has not even been in office four months,” Paige said. “Let’s not cry until we’re hurt.”