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 Petition Irregularities Miami-Dade Zealots Seek Overturning Discrimination Ordinance Law Enforcement Authorities Pursuing a Criminal Investigation |
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Compiled By GayToday
Miami, Florida--Nearly 200 volunteers combed through 51,000 signatures
submitted by the Christian Coalition and its allies, uncovering literally
thousands of "irregularities" that indicate violation of the petition
process. The volunteers, representing all factions of Miami's diverse
community, spent five weeks examining the petitions, including a review of
signatures, notaries and petition circulators.
The signatures were submitted to the Miami-Dade County Elections Department on December 1, 2000 in an effort to have a referendum to repeal an amendment to the county's Human Rights Ordinance, passed on December 1, 1998. This amendment extends basic rights in employment, housing, financing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. Following a random sampling of 200 signatures on December 27, 2000, the Elections Department announced that it would conduct a review of all 51,000 signatures. The leaders of the Christian Coalition and its allies are demanding that the Elections Department discontinue verifying signatures and certify the petition in order to prevent a review of all signatures--and for good reason. "Based on our review of all 51,000 signatures, it is our opinion that these petitions contain a disproportionate number of irregularities," commented Jorge Mursuli, chair of SAVE Dade. "If an election is to take place, then we are determined and prepared to work passionately to defend our most basic rights."
The Code of Miami-Dade County presently prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, familial status and sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, and financing. |
