Many in Tallahassee wonder what’s next locally after “No Kings” surrounding the Florida Capitol amid a day of coordinated nationwide protest on June 14th.
Thousands of people engaged in peaceful protest locally responsive to stark perceptions of emerging authoritarianism.
Beyond any local implications of the recent U.S. airstrike on Iran, areas of continuing local concern include although aren’t limited to immigration enforcement seemingly devoid of due process that can undermine community policing, public health priorities and disrupt key Florida businesses and industries, placing related economic development and the supply chain at risk.
The question presented isn’t whether U.S. immigration law should be enforced, but how.
The implications of the U.S. rolling back visas for foreign nationals which can result in unintended consequences locally underscoring “Think globally, act locally” cause and effect are also resonating.
Similarly, the implications of deep cuts to foreign assistance that can undermine new and established markets for Florida businesses and industries abroad, and local tourism apart from immediate humanitarian consequences resonate.
While the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army encompassing an elaborate military parade in Washington, D.C. coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, and Flag Day commemorating adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official U.S. flag were the backdrop – the president’s post on Truth Social in February casting himself as king generated an irresistible dynamic shaping the characterization of “No Kings.”
The right to protest is enshrined in the US Constitution but neither absolute nor necessarily sufficient to effectuate change sought. Dispassionate analysis, a reasonable understanding of American history, civic awareness and decorum can be indispensable counterparts to passionate advocacy.
Unpacking competing narratives is a difficult yet unavoidable task of maintaining a healthy democracy whether Democrat, Republican, No Party Affiliation, independent political party or entirely off any traditional political grid.
Significantly, local leadership may be poised to assist, at least by analogy… no “solution” nor prescribed way of thinking, rather by leveraging a highly credible nevertheless relatively unknown framework informally that’s open to divergent views as a vehicle to help facilitate meaningful local dialogue.
Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox voiced interest in facilitating constructive cross-cutting discourse throughout the year during the city’s 2025 Dr. MLK, Jr. Day of Dialogue observance. She reaffirmed interest during a City Commission meeting in May.
Mayor John Dailey set the stage drawing attention to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), an international human rights treaty framework based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which 174 nations including the U.S. ratified or acceded to thus far when the world was emerging from early stages of the pandemic.
Then on April 12, 2022, Leon County Commission staff analysis supportive of then-Chairman Bill Proctor’s resolution acknowledging the Universal Declaration of Human Rights locally referenced the mayor’s initiative, which the County Commission adopted unanimously.
The ICCPR garnered strong bipartisan support and is well-suited given the US Constitution generally accords ratified treaties the weight of federal law — there’s practical utility in that especially when navigating discordant state level narratives. Moreover, the U.S. Senate’s understanding was the framework applies whether tribal/ indigenous, state or local levels of governance are involved in addition to federally and internationally.
An unconventional way forward for our community to consider, one which local leadership can help catalyze informally for civil society residing in and surrounding Florida’s Capital City including civic organizations, businesses, law enforcement, clubs, schools, colleges, universities and houses of worship ideally to engage in otherwise elusive dialogue.
Everyone’s sensibilities are being tested regardless of who voted for whom, or not – so timely, arguably imperative.
Mark Schlakman, Esq., FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, and Of Counsel to Rambana & Ricci, P.L.L.C.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘No Kings’ outside the Florida Capitol – what’s next locally? | Opinion
Reporting by Mark Schlakman / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
