Children's Express hits the brakes in Sarasota (WITH VIDEO)

The Children’s Express is rolling through Florida, stopping in 15 cities for “Milk Party” rallies through Sept. 30. Those aboard the bus are sharing the message that children must become the state’s highest priority, and candidates for governor must attend a debate sponsored by The Children’s Movement of Florida and the University of Miami on children’s issues.

Organized by David Lawrence Jr., president and co-chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, the citizen-led, non-partisan series of Milk Parties stopped at Riverview High School Tuesday, Sept. 21, drawing a large crowd of political, business and civic leaders, as well as parents and students. One woman stated that the goal of the parties was to get people fired up and angry about children’s needs.

“The crowds flocking to these Milk Parties demonstrate that citizens who care about early-childhood issues in Florida have the power and ability to demand and produce change on behalf of our children,” said Lawrence, founding chair of The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County and retired publisher of The Miami Herald.

The movement’s 27-member statewide steering committee includes 12 Republicans, 12 Democrats and three independents.

“When it comes to what’s best for Florida’s children, there should be no partisanship,” said Roberto Martinez, co-chair of The Children’s Movement and a member of Florida’s State Board of Education.

For information, visit www.childrensmovementflorida.org.

Scroll down for a video of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band marching through the auditorium and continuing on to the stage to get the crowd riled up.