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The Florida Roundup is a live, weekly call-in show with a distinct focus on the issues affecting Floridians. Each Friday at noon, listeners can engage in the conversation with journalists, newsmakers and other Floridians about change, policy and the future of our lives in the sunshine state.Join our host, WLRN’s Tom Hudson, broadcasting from Miami.

Florida Democrats Disavow Sanders’ Cuba Comments; Are Schools Overusing Baker Act?

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign event, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Spartanburg, S.C.
Matt Rourke
/
Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign event, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Spartanburg, S.C.

This week, the Florida Democratic Party disavowed some controversial comments made by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, their party’s current frontrunner in the presidential race.

Sanders praised Castro’s literacy and health care programs in Cuba, sparking outrage among Cuban exiles here in Florida. Also, recently there has been outrage after young children around the state have been Baker Acted or even arrested.

Scott Arceneaux, Democratic Strategist and Andy Gomez, professor emeritus of Cuban studies at the University of Miami and author of Social Challenges Facing Cuba provided analysis on the possible backlash and outcomes from Sanders’ comments.

Use Of The Baker Act In Schools

Megan Reeves and Jack Evans, reporters with the  Tampa Bay Times, and licensed psychologist  Angela Mann with the  Center for Children’s Rights discussed the increased use of the Baker Act in Florida.

Amanda Brannon can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org, 904-358-6317.

Copyright 2020 WJCT News 89.9. To see more, visit WJCT News 89.9.

WJCT NEWS INTERN spring 2019
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