Sites in Need of Protection: In Solidarity with AIM

[BlackMic Radio]

Warm Mineral Springs, North Port, Florida
See latest update at bottom of page.

The Issue

The city of North Port, Florida has annexed a known burial site, and may attempt development at some point.

FLAIM protested vigorously at the city council meeting.

Below is FLAIM's October 20, 2000 Press Release.

FLAIM Press Release:

October 20, 2000

FLORIDA AIM FILES COMPLAINTS AGAINST RACIST NORTH PORT COMMISSIONERS

For Immediate Release
For More Information contact Sheridan Murphy at Aimfl@aol.com

North Port, FL- The American Indian Movement of Florida categorically rejects the half-hearted, insincere and untimely apology of North Port City Commissioner Rue Berryman who complained his remarks were taken out of context! Florida AIM questions the sincerity of a man who believes that racist remarks can be appropriate in any context.

Florida AIM on Friday filed complaints regarding Mr. Berryman and his fellow commissioners racist banter with the Florida Ethics Commission, Florida Attorney Generals Office of Civil Rights, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights. Florida AIM cited official misconduct, violations of state and federal civil rights and public accommodations law.

Florida AIM believes it wholly inappropriate for governmental officials to make such racist and stereotypical remarks at a public meeting, and more so that these commissioners believe there is a context in which such racist remarks are appropriate. Florida AIM finds it disturbing the dearth of state laws regarding the moral and ethical conduct of municipal, county and state officials with regards to their racism.

Florida AIM will survey residents of the City of North Port, who we believe to be people of goodwill. If they are such people of goodwill, Florida AIM will work with those residents in an effort to recall the hateful, racist commissioners currently misrepresenting the goodwill of the residents of North Port, FL. Florida AIM is also reviewing its options to take this matter into litigation against the City of North Port and the commissioners individually.

Florida AIM will continue to protest and take principled actions to insure that these racist commissioners are exposed and hopefully removed from office.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Sheridan Murphy, State Executive Director at Aimfl@aol.com


The Sun Herald's 2000 Oct 17 write-up of the meeting: Native Americans challenge annexation
2000 Oct 17 article, NORTH PORT City reapproving four annexations to thwart county



More Online Reading:

View images from FLAIM's North Port Rallies at the FLAIM South Florida Support Groups Site

Contact:

Sheridan Murphy, AIMFL State Executive Director or Mark Madrid, State Information Director
AIMFL@aol.com

Update: Info current upon entry into IBSGWatch site May 18 2001

Information submitted by Tom Scott
Southern Regional Support Coordinator
American Indian Movement of Florida
http://www.geocities.com/aim_sfsg/