WASHINGTON D.C. – Palm Coast political activist Cameron Driggers was arrested in Washington D.C. on Thursday during a protest at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s office against an impending government shutdown. Driggers revealed what had happened in a post to his X account in the aftermath of the incident.
“I was just arrested inside Kevin McCarthy’s office for telling House Republicans to quit playing political games when our planet is burning,” Driggers said in his post. “I should be in school, not in handcuffs for fighting for my future.”
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is currently not in agreement with the Democratic-controlled Senate on a spending plan that would avert a government shutdown. If the two bodies fail to reach a solution by 12:01 am on Sunday, a shutdown will begin.
House Republicans have not reached a majority to approve a spending plan negotiated by Speaker McCarthy and President Joe Biden earlier this year, with a small group of representatives opposing McCarthy from the political right. The Senate put forth a bipartisan bill to attempt to avoid a shutdown, but the bill was rejected by McCarthy.
Driggers, second from left, in Speaker McCarthy’s office. ⓒ Cameron Driggers on X
The protest Driggers took part in was organized by a group known as the Sunrise Movement, who advocate for action to fight climate change including the controversial Green New Deal. Legislators such as Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D, NY-16) and Senator Ed Marley (D, MA) spoke alongside the group before the protest took to McCarthy’s office. Signs at the event displayed such messages as ‘The GOP Hates Gen Z’ and ‘McCarthy: Aren’t You Ashamed’.
Last year Driggers took part in a student protest at Flagler Palm Coast High School against proposed removals of library books with racial and LGBTQ-related topics. The walkout led to the suspicion of student Jack Petocz, who has also become a prominent figure in national youth activism.
“An incredible day for the climate moment,” Driggers continued. “We will reimagine public education in this country and win the transformational reform we deserve […] @SpeakerMcCarthy, shame on you.”
Sue
September 28, 2023 at 7:44 pm
Kid has a lot to learn!!!! Tje planet is not burning ! Climate is cyclical, just ask the dinosaurs 😭 get back to class and get educated,and stop blaming the lack of a budget on one party. It’s both. Every year this happens
Jonathan
September 30, 2023 at 1:36 am
You are wrong! I guess you know more than the scientists
Judith Michaud
September 29, 2023 at 8:23 am
Bravo to Cameron and ALL those young people! They and all of the young generation have more brains than our adults sitting in the House of Representatives ! Just like Caesar who sat while Rome burned, they sit and try to find dirt on Joe Biden. How foolish are the people who vote to put these ignorant representatives in office !
Anonymous
September 29, 2023 at 11:31 am
🤣🤣 today’s youth are clueless and brainwashed.
Jonathan
September 30, 2023 at 1:38 am
Today’s youth like this person are smart intelligent and courageous. The exact opposite of what you’re saying. It is the Trump supporters who are brainless.
Robert Kornacki
October 8, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Before you run around calling others brainless you may want to study up on proper punctuation and sentence structure; it just may add a few iotas of credibility to your comments.
Jonathan
September 30, 2023 at 1:43 am
I agree. Highly intelligent courageous young people
Robert Kornacki
September 29, 2023 at 9:21 am
Sorry, but the planet is not “burning.” Yes, the temperature is rising, just as it has been for the last 20,000 years. It has been this high or higher four times over the last 400,000 years during inter-glacial periods. The Great Lakes were formed when glaciers, which covered the norther half of our country, melted 14,000 years ago. How many SUV’s were plying the planet then? Dinosaurs roamed Canada millions of years ago; how many trucks were roaming the interstates at that time? Why is it that you can find seashells on dry land in your yard in Florida? It’s because Florida was covered in sea water; now, people are screaming because the seas may rise a couple of inches over the next 50 years. They tell us these are the highest temperatures on “record.” Well, accurate records started around 1860 and the planet has been around for 4.5 billion years. That’s a lot of history to ignore when talking about temperatures. And yes, someone has to put the brakes on spending trillions of dollars we don’t have. Biden snuck $350 billion of green energy spending into the “Inflation Reduction Act.” Well, when you print money to pay for things you can’t afford it actually increases inflation. Stop brainwashing our kids into believing they are going to burn up if “something” isn’t done. It makes them look more ignorant of the facts of history.
Steve K
September 29, 2023 at 11:31 am
All right wingers say the the current global warming is due to a natural freeze and thaw process but offer no proof. There have been many credible scientific studies showing that we as a people are contributing mightily to the changes in temperatures on our earth. It has been shown that hydrocarbon emissions do cause warming of our planet. Any statements to the contrary are nothing but lies. If we treat our earth well, our planet will treat us well. $350M is a small price to pay to help avoid imminent disaster. If anyone is brainwashing our young people, it is the political right who only care about profitable corporations who contribute heavily to their campaigns.
Robert Kornacki
September 29, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Go to the NOAA website and you will find your “proof.” The graphs show it all; they are scientific and you tell us to “trust the science” so walk what you talk.
Jonathan
September 30, 2023 at 1:48 am
Wow I guess you know more than the scientists. Keep thinking that way and see what happens. It is people like you that are nescient
Robert Kornacki
September 30, 2023 at 8:00 pm
I have discussed this with a scientist; he has a PhD in meteorology.
James
September 29, 2023 at 11:01 am
I’m glad to see that young people are speaking out against the Republican tyranny and fascism. More young people need to participate and let their voices be known. Courageous young people I have total respect for them. A new movement needs to begin like the one in the 60s Civil Rights Movement. The Republicans represent tyranny and fascism in this country and we must fight against it!
Jonathan
September 29, 2023 at 11:53 am
The best thing that young people can do is get out there and vote. Vote these fascist tyrannical Republicans out of office. But of course the Republicans don’t want young people to vote. Because they know they will not be elected.
Flamamabear
September 29, 2023 at 12:18 pm
I think he needs to go spend time with the January 6th protesters. It’s only fair.
Jonathan
September 30, 2023 at 1:41 am
Typical violent hate speech from nescient people
Jonathan
September 30, 2023 at 1:49 am
Wow I guess you know more than the scientists. Keep thinking that way and see what happens. It is people like you that are nescient
Flamamabear
October 2, 2023 at 11:55 am
Jonathan no one is more ignorant than a person who thinks they can act like a child when they dwell in an adult body. Apparently he rates right with the ignorant politian who pulled the fire alarm during the last house session. He could legally get 20 years. 20 years for a childish action done by an adult.
Robert Kornacki
October 2, 2023 at 6:41 pm
He is a Democrat; nothing will happen to him.