State Senator Blaise Ingoglia Proposes Discriminatory Constitutional Amendment Banning Reparations

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - On November 27, 2023, Florida State Senator Blaise Ingoglia, who represents District 11 (covering Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties, and part of Pasco county), introduced Senate Joint Resolution 582 “to prohibit the state, a county, a municipality, or any other political subdivision from paying reparations to certain individuals.” This resolution proposes an amendment to the State Constitution that expressly bans “compensation in the form of reparations to an individual who is a descendant of an enslaved individual who lived in the United States before December 6, 1865.” If passed, this proposed amendment (Section 33 of Article X) would be placed on the ballot at the next general election or at an earlier special election for the voters to decide. 

Florida Freedmen Advocacy Center (FLFAC) asserts that this resolution is blatantly discriminatory in that it clearly targets Black Americans whose ancestors were enslaved in the United States. As written, this amendment would not ban reparations or monetary forms of restitution made by the State of Florida or its political subdivisions for any reason altogether. It would only prevent reparations from being made to those of a certain identity: American Freedmen. Such an amendment would put the Florida State Constitution in direct conflict with the United States Constitution, abridging the First Amendment right of U.S. citizens “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” and flagrantly violate  the Fourteenth Amendment right of Freedmen descendants to “the privileges and immunities of citizens” and “equal protection of the laws.” Senator Ingoglia notably highlights December 6, 1865, the date on which the Thirteenth Amendment (which abolished slavery) was ratified. These violations are particularly egregious because the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth “Reconstruction” Amendments were expressly written to secure the citizenship rights of American Freedmen. Ironically, the grievances for which reparations or redress may be sought are due to the violation of Constitutional rights and protections to begin with. 

FLFAC urges all Floridians and all Americans who value the provisions of the U.S. Constitution to stand unified against such measures seeking to abridge the rights and privileges of U.S. citizens.

About Florida Freedmen Advocacy Center, Inc (FLFAC): The mission of Florida Freedmen Advocacy Center, Inc. is to educate Floridians on the historic challenges and present statistical realities facing Black Americans who descend from persons formerly enslaved in the United States, and to promote the sustainability of Black American heritage communities in Florida through historic preservation, civic education, and economic development. We aim to unite citizens, policy makers, and change agents to develop sustainable solutions to persistent community challenges through nonpartisan outreach and advocacy. Visit www.flfac.org for more information.

Maternal Mortality Crisis: Medical Negligence Forces Expectant Family Into Premature Delivery; Human, Civil, Parental, and Patient Rights Violated

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - On October 28, 2022, the Washington family checked into Sarasota Memorial Hospital after mom experienced severe pains in her abdomen at just 23 weeks pregnant. Absent a thorough observation of the mother and her growing baby, hospital staff dismissed her complaints as simply “pregnancy pains,” sending her home with antibiotics and a muscle relaxer. Just 9 hours later, she was rushed back to the hospital in excruciating pain, only to discover she was in labor and her cervix was more than 1 cm dilated. Additionally, her amniotic sac (water) had broken and meconium (fetal feces) was present, the umbilical cord was wrapped three times around the baby's neck, and she was experiencing a placental abruption, resulting in severe internal bleeding. Despite being in early labor, the hospital pressured mom to submit to a drug test in exchange for pain relief. Ultimately, she was denied any pain relief for more than three hours. When finally seen by a physician, they are told that had they not returned to the hospital, both mother and baby would have died that night. An emergency C-section was then performed to save both lives. The newborn continues to fight for her life.

The family has major concerns regarding the level of care and respect they received postpartum. Mom felt unsafe while admitted to the hospital, stating, “had I been a dog, I would have gotten better care.” The family alleges ongoing human, civil, Indigenous, parental, and patient rights violations, as well as medical reporting fraud. They cite the Racial Integrity Act of 1924, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Florida Patient's Bill of Rights, birth registration inconsistent with Florida Statute Title XXIX, Section 382.013, and more.  This ordeal has traumatized them and impacted their ability to sustain themselves financially. The family is also experiencing a housing crisis after recently losing their home under questionable legal circumstances. They are raising funds to locate housing, secure compassionate health care, and retain legal representation. The hashtags #9Miracle and #9Strong will  promote  awareness of their premature newborn’s recovery.