AIM Support Group of Ohio & N. KentuckyUpdates and Announcements
Sunday, October 26, 2003Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 23:11:40 -0000 Subject: Florida AIM Statement to the City of Miami City of Miami City Council 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 Wednesday, October 22, 2003 Greetings: The American Indian Movement of Florida ("Florida AIM") is the state chapter of the international Indigenous peoples civil, human, treaty, and sovereignty rights movement reborn in Minneapolis, MN in 1968. AIM currently maintains Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council as well as the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples. Florida AIM is deeply concerned about the proposed ordinance, amending Chapter 54 of the municipal code, before the City of Miami Commission that targets individuals and organizations engaged in activities related to dissent, including but not limited to demonstrations, rallies, and protests. It is certainly within the responsibility of the City of Miami to work as effectively as possible to insure the safety of both those dissenting and those whom they are dissenting against. This has already been effectively done by codified laws, which prohibit actions that bring harm to persons or property within the state of Florida through Florida State Statutes, Metro Miami-Dade County Code and Miami municipal ordinances. Florida AIM understands and appreciates the City of Miami's concerns regarding upcoming demonstrations against the FTAA in the wake of unrest at protests across the world against similar globalization efforts. However Florida AIM is deeply dismayed and critically concerned at the intransigent and dictatorial methods by which the City of Miami is attempting to impose to insure such unrest does not occur in the City of Miami. Miami has been a haven for individuals, particularly from so-called "Latin America" fleeing political regimes that they believed were oppressive, repressive and suppressive to them and their individual and political freedoms. The City of Miami is home to the "Freedom Tower", a building that while vacant and decaying for nearly a generation was/is a symbol of hope. Florida AIM finds it disconcerting and unsurprisingly ironic that the children of the same people who fled oppression seek to limit freedom of speech and expression in their own city by those who dissent. The mythology of America is etched in the perception that dissent is a right to be both expressed and even encouraged. The civil rights movement of the 1960's is glorified today as part of the greatness of America. Is it the opinion of the City of Miami that the 213 years of that belief and expression were simply a lie, and that now the gauntlet of totalitarianism must be tossed out to save the freedoms of America? Is it the position of the City of Miami that the existing Florida State Statutes, County code and municipal codes do not go far enough in inhibiting those who dissent? Florida AIM cautions the City of Miami that this prohibition ordinance will not dissuade those who dissent from doing the things the ordinance is attempting to prohibit them from doing. Instead it may inspire some dissenters to purposefully act in a manner contrary to the ordinance simply because the ordinance itself is such an affront to civil liberties they will believe it must be challenged on its face. Therefore the very things the city may be attempting to avoid will occur because of the ordinance. The amendment is contrary to the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. The amendment is contrary to the Florida Constitution's freedoms bestowed upon the citizens of Florida. The amendment is contrary to the myth of America. It's contrary to the symbolism for which many have come to this land, including many of you on the city council or your parents. This amendment is contrary to the concept of freedom and free expression. And finally its contrary to common sense and human nature. Prohibition of a fundamental human right, such as free expression-whether its wearing body armor or using a 12 foot tall "Uncle Sam." Will inexorably lead to dissent against the ordinance itself. If the City of Miami is genuinely concerned about safety and "keeping the peace" during the FTAA and future protests of globalization, colonialism, occupation etc. then enforce the laws you have. If Miami is seeking to create an atmosphere and climate that many of its citizens fled for the dream of freedom then pass the ordinance and become that which you despise. Either way, the protests will continue and the people will be heard. Sincerely, Sheridan Murphy State Executive Director American Indian Movement of Florida posted by Webmaster@ AIM Support 10:28 AM Last updated:
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