HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-2018 Proclamation - Day of Remembrance Proclamation of 1920 - November 2nd 4.041rr
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Proclamation
WHEREAS, the City of Ocoee is dedicated to cultural diversity and the ability for all citizens to
exercise their right to vote; and
WHEREAS, the historical record clearly shows that African-American residents of West
Orange County in and around what later became the City of Ocoee were
grievously denied their civil rights, their properties, and their very lives in a series
of unlawful acts perpetrated by a white mob and governmental officials on
November 2, 1920, and the following weeks simply because they tried to vote, as
any eligible citizen should be able to do, including such prominent local leaders
as Moses Norman and Julius Perry; and
WHEREAS, the historical record also reveals that no African-American persons resided in the
City of Ocoee for the following 60 years, leading to the area being referred to as
a "sundown city"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ocoee seeks to express its regret and horror at the events of
November 1920 while recognizing the more recent efforts of local leaders and
citizens of all cultures to create a diverse community open to all residents and
visitors; and
WHEREAS, the population of the city is now highly diverse "sunrise city," with African-
Americans being a large portion of the population; and
WHEREAS, the City opposes all efforts to divide its citizens on the basis of color, creed,
religion, national origin, cultural or political beliefs; and
WHEREAS, the City believes that remembering and honoring those individuals who were
killed, injured, driven from their homes, and had their property taken from them is
a core requirement for ensuring that such acts do not occur again; and
WHEREAS, the City's Human Relations Diversity Board has developed language for an
historic marker describing the events of November 1920 and the City's efforts to
change the community culture that allowed and encouraged those atrocities; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Ocoee has the desire and authority to erect
such a marker in a public place so that all visitors may recall and consider the
events of November 1920 and jointly vow to never allow such a cultural divide to
exist in the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
OCOEE, that the City shall erect a suitable historical marker in a public space that will describe
the tragic events of November 1920; that November 2"d shall be declared a day of
remembrance for those residents of Ocoee and West Orange County who lost their lives and
property through an act of domestic terror; and that any future public cultural event held by the
City during the first week of November shall acknowledge the terrible events of November 1920
that sought to disenfranchise a group of citizens and shall emphasize the community's need for
cultural diversity. Let it be known that Ocoee shall no longer be the sundown city but the
sunrise city, with the bright light of harmony, justice, and prosperity shining upon all our citizens.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the Seal of the City of Ocoee,
Florida to be affixed this 20`h day of November,
2018.
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