Meet woman who shouted at Gov. Rick Scott

Cara Jennings says she didn't expect to run into Scott

MIAMI – Gov. Rick Scott responded Wednesday to the viral video of his attempt to get coffee at a Starbucks in Gainesville. He ran into a self-described anarchist, who was upset over the lack of government-funded health services. 

Former Lake Worth commissioner Cara Jennings was angry. She asked him why he passed a new Florida law targeting abortion clinics. She said that when she explained that the bill was going to keep her away from women's health services, he suggested that she go to her county clinic. 

Recommended Videos



Jennings' anger turned into rage. And then she said, "you are an a---le." 

The law "cuts funding to Planned Parenthood and restricts abortion access,"  Jennings later said on Facebook. "Just last night I looked online to see if there is a march planned ... and  then today, [Scott] walked into the coffee shop I was at."

In many ways, the 39-year-old activist, who likes to snorkel and watch independent films, is all that Scott isn't. The former teacher is a vegan who helps to build community gardens. She has protested against the Florida Power & Light and most recently against police brutality.

"Currently I am focused on immigrant rights and environmental racism issues," Jennings said on Facebook

During her 2010 political campaign, Jennings told the In These Times that she identified as an "anarchist" because she believes that there shouldn't be a hierarchy in government and that all decisions should be made at the community level. 

"I'm not anti-government," Jennings said. "I'm for the utmost public input into the things that impact our lives."

Scott is also against government intrusion. He said during an interview with the Tampa Bay Times that if the federal government wants to have its program, they should fund it. 

"Don't come to the state of Florida and ask us to tax our taxpayers for a federal program," Scott said. "I don't believe in that. I don't go to the federal government and say 'fund my program'"

 


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.