The Collier County Commissioners are set to vote on July 13th to approve a “Bill of Rights Sanctuary” ordinance.
“Collier County has the right to be free from the commanding hand of the federal government and has the right to refuse to cooperate with federal government officials in response to unconstitutional federal government measures, and to proclaim a Bill of Rights Sanctuary for law-abiding citizens in its cities and county,” the ordinance reads.
The ordinance is different from the Freedom Sanctuary ordinance we would propose, but is very much in the same spirit.
There are 5 commissioners, 2 solidly for it, 1 who raises what some see as petty trifling “concerns” but who is afraid to be against it, 1 opposed but who has given some reasons for why they might support it, and one just opposed. As for the public, 25 people spoke for the ordinance and none spoke against it.
Predictably, the County’s head attorney opposes it and both warns of negative consequences while claiming the Sheriff cannot enforce the ordinance. The Sheriff stood in wholehearted support.
While public sentiment may favor this ordinance, which prohobits any county personnel or resources to be used to enforce laws that violate the Constitutional rights of citizens, it would appear the top County officials are looking for a way to block the ordinance without appearing to be opposed to its sentiment. It remains to be seen how the public comments and, frankly, weasal language of certain officials will play with the public and whether public pressure will mount to side with the ordinance.
