Jack Petocz: ‘Gen Z Is Angry, Disappointed, & Tired of Politicians Policing Education’
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After the disappointing vote by the Florida State Senate to pass the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, students and activists are galvanized to meet the GOP at the polls in November.
Jack Petocz, the student who organized the statewide walkouts said: The “Don’t Say Gay” bill has passed the Senate. Gen-Z is angry, disappointed and tired of politicians policing our education and erasing our identities. Make no mistake, we will fight back and our voices will be heard in November.
The “Don’t Say Gay” bill has passed the Senate. Gen-Z is angry, disappointed and tired of politicians policing our education and erasing our identities. Make no mistake, we will fight back and our voices will be heard in November. #RemoveRon
— Jack Petocz (@Jack_Petocz) March 8, 2022
@jack_petocz Vote him out! #lgbt #florida #politics #gay ♬ saddddd – A•L•€•X ????
Florida students are UNITED in opposition to the dangerous “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The Florida GOP will meet Gen-Z in November. https://t.co/cvyQpZgOvb
— Jack Petocz (@Jack_Petocz) March 7, 2022
“It’s really exhausting as a queer person in Florida trying to fight against everything going on,” @Jack_Petocz who led statewide protests last wk, told @TeenVogue
Today, the FL Senate passed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, sending it to DeSantis’ desk.
“It’s really exhausting as a queer person in Florida trying to fight against everything going on,” @Jack_Petocz, who led statewide protests last wk, told @TeenVogue.https://t.co/kk0sWRtJSo
— Elizabeth Djinis (@djinisinabottle) March 8, 2022
@jack_petocz We’ll keep fighting ????️????#dontsaygaybill #lgbt #notafraidtosaygay #politics #fl ♬ original sound – Jack Petocz
“The language and the supporters of the bill and the rhetoric around the bill really shows what this bill is, and it’s an attempt to hurt queer people like me,” high school senior Jack Petocz said.
“The language and the supporters of the bill and the rhetoric around the bill really shows what this bill is, and it’s an attempt to hurt queer people like me,” high school senior Jack Petocz said. https://t.co/MvH3iL69lf
— Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) March 8, 2022
Parkland survivor David Hogg said: Get ready to see don’t say gay bills in dozens of other states across the country. Ron DeSantis is on a pathway straight to the White House and he’s not like trump. He’s way more extreme and the worst part is he’s smart. He needs to be stopped.
Get ready to see don’t say gay bills in dozens of other states across the country.
Ron DeSantis is on a pathway straight to the White House and he’s not like trump. He’s way more extreme and the worst part is he’s smart.
He needs to be stopped. https://t.co/5cva7Sbg8W
— David Hogg ???? (@davidhogg111) March 8, 2022
After he was suspended following the protest March 3 at Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools — and more schools around the state — FPC student Jack Petocz wrote the following letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The letter has been lightly edited. An image of the letter was posted on Petocz’s Twitter account (@Jack_Petocz) and has been “loved” 15.9K times. A logo at the top of the letter says “Gen-Z for Change.”
Governor DeSantis,
My name is Jack Petocz, and I am a 17-year-old gay student activist in Flagler County. I organized the statewide walkouts that took place last week in opposition to HB1557/SB 1834. Thousands of your young constituents exercised their first amendment rights to peacefully protest. Since these meaningful demonstrations took place, I have been indefinitely suspended from the Flagler County School District for distributing pride flags at our school’s rally.
This legislation is damaging to LGBTQ+ youth across Florida. Restricting discussion of queer people and erasing our identity within public schools will only exacerbate the pre-existing issues that LGBTQ+ youth face, whether that be poverty, homelessness, or mental health. Students should be able to unapologetically express their individuality and identity without fear of their elected leaders seeking to minimize our existence.
In response to the bill’s progression, I am requesting a meeting with you to discuss its extensive impacts, and allow you to see firsthand the impact of your party’s legislation and agenda. This is not political in nature — it is simply a young person asking their governor to take accountability and explain why he is seeking to target my community. It is my sincere hope that you consider this meeting and do what you were elected to do — represent us all.
Jack Petocz
I am requesting a meeting with @GovRonDeSantis to voice my opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/N6qq2Gzdbv
— Jack Petocz (@Jack_Petocz) March 7, 2022
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