Collier County residents hold a candlelight vigil at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation to protest hate and bigotry in the wake of violence in Charlottesville , Va., on Aug. 14, 2017. (Image: Author)
Sept. 21, 2022 by David Silverberg
Full disclosure: The author is the drafter of the resolution described below.
The Collier County, Florida, Board of Commissioners will be taking up a resolution condemning bigotry, hate crimes and anti-Semitism at its next general meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 27.
The resolution is officially on the meeting’s agenda as item 10A, although that could be changed if deemed necessary by the county manager. The general business portion of the meeting begins at 10:00 am.
In its operative paragraph the resolution condemns anti-Semitism, discrimination, prejudice and hate. It states that the county resolves to pursue and prosecute hate crimes against people, property and institutions and, to paraphrase President George Washington, “will provide to bigotry no sanction and to persecution no assistance.”
(The full text is below.)
Commissioner Bill McDaniel (R-District 5) and chair of the Board, is expected to introduce the resolution.
The resolution comes amidst a rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Southwest Florida.
Although the resolution is an expression of opinion rather than an ordinance imposing penalties, it nonetheless puts the county on the record opposing all forms of hatred, bigotry and discrimination.
In its entirety the resolution states:
WHEREAS, Collier County, Florida is an open and welcoming place to residents, guests and visitors from all over the world; and
WHEREAS, Collier County, Florida adheres to the laws and regulations and upholds the Constitution and Amendments of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, Collier County, Florida provides equal justice under law and protection to all law-abiding residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, Collier County, Florida supports democracy and democratic forms of government; and
WHEREAS, Collier County, Florida abhors bigotry, discrimination, prejudice and all forms of hate against all people regardless of faith, race, gender, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA: condemns anti-Semitism in all forms and expressions; condemns all forms of discrimination, prejudice and hate against any person or group of people regardless of faith, race, gender, creed, sexual orientation or national origin; condemns any call to violence or use of violence for any purpose at any time; and resolves to actively and vigorously oppose, investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any advocacy of violence, acts of violence or crimes manifesting hatred against any person, property or institution based on faith, race, gender, creed, sexual orientation or national origin, and will provide to bigotry no sanction and to persecution no assistance.
The Board of Commissioners will be meeting at 9:00 am on the third floor of the Collier County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail East in Naples. Public petition speakers are limited to ten minutes and general address speakers to 3 minutes.
To reach the commissioners:
Rick LoCastro
(239) 252-8601
Andy Solis
(239) 252-8602
Burt Saunders
(239) 252-8603
Penny Taylor
(239) 252-8604
William L. McDaniel, Jr.
Chair
(239) 252-8605
Liberty lives in light
©2022 by David Silverberg
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