Almost since its inception, the Freedom Party attracted supporters from diverse communities across the state. Nestled within the Freedom Party’s petitions are signatures from African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and yes, whites. There were whites who carried Freedom Party petitions as subscribing witnesses.

    What would attract this broad base of diversity?  Members of the working class see the Freedom Party as a means of addressing their issues. Freedom Party candidate for Governor Charles Barron put it like this: “When I advocate for a living wage bill in the City Council, it would benefit everybody, not just Blacks. Whites see this.”    

    There were several whites in attendance at an early Freedom Party forum, in which the entire slate – Eva Doyle for Lieutenant Governor, Ramon Jimenez for Attorney General, and Barron – presented themselves.

    When asked why she attended, one woman said, “I think that this kind of party is a development that is giving grounds for more progressive politics, for more participation of the average person, who are not represented locally, not represented in Congress. Our tax dollars are used, but we don't get the benefit.  Workers are not being represented.  We are asked to work, pay the taxes, bear the brunt of all the crises capitalists has thrust upon us. And we don't get the benefits of it.”

    Here is more of what she had to say.