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This week, the Senate will consider #HB1.This bill is not only misguided; it is purposefully divisive, opportunistic, & will embolden the worst elements in our society. Unfortunately, FPI has now seen this firsthand. 1/9 #sayfie #flapol #Florida
We received a hate letter—a vile, racist, misogynistic letter—addressed to our criminal justice policy analyst Tachana Joseph-Marc ( @Tach_JM) in response to her Op-Ed published in the @pbpost about the outsized fiscal impact of #HB1. https://bit.ly/3a7WDC9 ">https://bit.ly/3a7WDC9&q... 2/9
The letter writer specifically notes his glee about the thought of protesters “under his wheels”, a nod to #HB1’s policies. We share this not to give these vile thoughts greater attention, or to even shame this specific individual (who has been reported to law enforcement). 3/9
We share it to emphasize the very real-world consequences of #HB1; while personal intentions of individual lawmakers may not be known, the type of behavior #HB1 emboldens & disparate impact of its policies are demonstrably foreseeable. 4/9
In fact, #HB1 is just 1 in a long line of policies that further enshrine institutional racism in Florida, from the post-Reconstruction Black Codes, to the Jim Crow era, to the anti-integration “Pork Chop” gang, to mandatory minimums, to suppression of voting rights & more. 5/9
At FPI, it& #39;s our mission & duty to evaluate today’s policies in light of a lasting legacy of racist laws from Florida’s past, while maintaining an optimism for Florida’s future. But all Floridians cannot thrive when some are targeted because of the color of their skin. 6/9
This week, the Senate will consider #HB1;it would add more felonies to our criminal code, increase corrections costs, suppress speech, & provide cover to those who would do harm to peaceful protesters. The surrounding rhetoric has also emboldened racists. 7/9
Reach out to your state Senator & urge them to oppose #HB1. 8/9 https://bit.ly/3mOadzB ">https://bit.ly/3mOadzB&q...
