‘This is all garbage’: Calls for Bridget Ziegler to step down divide demonstrators

SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN) — The “Social Equity through Education Alliance” on Tuesday called for Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler to step down.

While never accused of a crime, critics said Ziegler’s actions make her a hypocrite.

“I cannot believe that this woman has not stepped down,” demonstrator Michele Andrews said.

Andrews said she had four kids go through the Sarasota school system. She said she thinks Zielger sets a poor example to students.

“It’s just disgusting, it’s an absolute disgrace,” Andrews said. “I mean, her husband had to be forced out, she won’t step down, she doesn’t have any kids in the Sarasota County School.”

Police documents showed she and her husband — Christian Ziegler — had a consensual three-way sexual encounter with a woman around two years ago. 

More recently, that same woman accused Christian Ziegler of rape, following an encounter that police say was likely consensual.​

James Fisher said Bridget Ziegler’s actions make her a hypocrite because of her past stances.

“The whole ban the books, the kind of anti-gay, anti-LQBTQ action is unconscionable,” Fisher said. “And it’s hurtful to young people.”

Others who showed up to the rally came in support of Bridget Ziegler, calling it a distraction.

“This is all garbage,” Allison Sneed said.

Sneed said that she wants to see the backlash over Bridger Ziegler staying on the school board come to an end.

“We need to move on from the situation,” Sneed said. “And we need to focus on educating the kids.”

Another woman, Sally Nista, said that people should not be focused on what she does in her personal life.

“I’m just tired of the distraction of people talking about what happened with the Zieglers,” Nista said. “This is supposed to be a school board meeting, they’re supposed to be focused on the education of the children, and all the left is doing is talking about Bridget’s sex life.”

Bridget Ziegler remains on the board and Christian Ziegler is not charged with any crime, however the State Attorney’s Office is to review a potential video voyeurism charge.