Commission votes against ‘Bill of Rights sanctuary’ in Collier County

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A Collier County community member holds a flyer in support of commissioners passing an ordinance proposal to make the county a “Bill of Rights sanctuary county.” More than 100 people showed up to the Collier County Board of County Commissioners meeting to debate this idea, either for or against it, Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Credit: WINK News.

Public comment at the Collier County Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday was heated over the discussion to make the county a “Bill of Rights sanctuary county.”

More than 100 people appeared at the meeting to debate what some call a renewed push to protect the rights and freedoms of Americans.

Commissioners ended up voting 3-2 against making a sanctuary county ordinance but decided to make it a resolution. The ordinance would make the “Bill of Rights sanctuary county” law, while the resolution is the formal expression of an opinion from elected officials. The final factor for the vote by commissioners came down to there being too much unknown in the proposed ordinance.

“This could affect our voting rights,” said Janet Hoffman, the co-president of the League of Women Voters of Collier County. “It could easily affect our intra and interstate commerce.”

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