Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 8-12-22

Feature
Citizens Respond To Governor’s Suspension Of State Attorney Andrew Warren
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis abruptly re- moved elected Hillsborough County State Attorney, An- drew Warren from office.
Governor DeSantis did not give any specifics on what Attorney Warren had done to deserve the removal. He eluded to Attorney War- ren’s personal opinion about the 15-week ban on abortions.
Attorney Warren vocal- ized his opinion about the 15- week ban on abortions and his unwillingness to prosecute the women or the medical profes- sionals.
Some citizens shared their opinion about the Governor’s action.
City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said, “Removing a duly elected official should be based on egregious actions, not on political statements. In a free state, voters should choose their elected officials. Tampa remains one of the safest cities of its size in the nation, thanks to the hard work and cooperation between our police officers and law en- forcement partners.”
State Rep. Fentrice Driskell said, “Ron DeSan- tis suspended the chief prose- cutor for Hillsborough County, State Attorney Andrew Warren — because Andrew said he would stay out of peo- ple’s personal healthcare deci- sions related to Florida’s 15-week abortion ban.
“Andrew Warren was elected by the people of Hills- borough County to pursue jus- tice and protect our community. And, by refusing
to enforce an unjust, cruel, in- humane law that provides no exception for victims of rape, incest, or human traffick- ing, he was doing exactly what the people of our community elected him to do.
“He was taking a stand against the Florida GOP’s at- tacks on our freedoms. He was taking a stand for the health and safety of women, one in four whom likely will experi- ence attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. And, DeSantis’ attempts to silence him and force him to bend to his will are unacceptable.
“Ron DeSantis has gone too far. And we need to fight back. On November 8th, we’re going to show up to the polls and show the Florida GOP that they can’t get away with this anymore.”
Former State Senator, Atty. Arthenia Joyner said, “As a former State Represen- tative, a former State Senator, a former leader of the Florida Senate Democrats, and as a resident of this community, I express my outrage at the ac- tions of Governor Ron De- Santis.
“Attorney Andrew Warren is a man whose sole “offense” was standing up to bullies like the Governor who seek to impose their will and their version of morality on the citizens of Florida.
“For those who stand by and watch this miscarriage of justice, who shrug off this abuse of power because it’s a Democrat who was targeted, I say, think again.
“The Governor selectively culled a variety of spurious ex- cuses and statement excerpts to justify his actions. In doing so, he greenlighted the prose- cution of women who seek abortions, stripping from us not only a State Attorney who understands that these deci- sions are in most cases not a matter for the criminal justice system, but the freedom of women to make their own
highly personal decisions. It is the Governor who needs to go, not our State Attorney. Let’s vote him out.”
Ms. Yvette Lewis, Presi- dent of the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP said, “This is a sad day in Hillsbor- ough County for the voters. The people have seen the lack of respect for the process of our voting rights. The people voted for State Attorney An- drew Warren.
“Governor DeSantis has eroded democracy by sus- pending State Attorney An- drew Warren. Governor DeSantis and his party have assaulted the will of the peo- ple. Our voting rights are under attack in Florida.”
Bishop Thomas Scott said, “Governor DeSantis has overreached his political power and voters are going to let him know he can’t come in and suspend State Attorney Warren without cause.
“This is outrageous and the community is in an uproar and in shock. This is Donald Trump on steroids.”
Retired attorney Delano Stewart said, “this is unlaw- ful, what he has done. He did not elect Andrew Warren. He was elected by the citizens of Hillsborough County. God gave this man a vision for the work he is doing. When God gives you vision, He’s on your side.
“This governor has con- tributed nothing but discord since he has been in office. He is so busy following Trump. I am going to keep praying.”
Attorney Sean Shaw said, “Ron DeSantis has shown us time and time again that he has no respect for Floridians or our judicial sys- tem. The unlawful removal of State Attorney Andrew Warren is another authori- tarian power grab by DeSan- tis, attempting to silence the voices of Floridians and of any outspoken critics of his ex- treme political agenda. For a Governor who claims to love protecting personal freedoms, he sure enjoys taking ours away.”
Norman A. Harris, Es- quire, said: “If I had to choose one word to describe Gover- nor DeSantis’ administra- tion and recent decision to suspend State Attorney An- drew Warren, it would be ‘Tyrannical.’
“His recent action demon- strates at its best an abuse of power to undermine a free and fair election, which cuts at the heart of democracy. It was the will of the community to elect Andrew Warren as State Attorney twice. Governor DeSantis has shown, once again, disregard to democracy and has misused the authority of his administration and plat- form to advance personal ag- grandizement and political agenda.
“Ironically, Governor DeSantis is guilty of the very thing he falsely accuses An- drew Warren, failure to up- hold oath of office.
“Andrew Warren has done nothing but enhance the
culture of the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office to bend the long arc of the moral universe toward justice in our community, where he has been elected twice to serve, and has upheld his oath of office to support the Supreme law of the land, the Constitution.
“Gov. DeSantis, unfortu- nately, chooses to take auto- cratic action with those on the wrong side of history who have violated human dignity by supporting an interpretation and application of law and power to deny, disrespect, and dehumanize others, including their mothers, wives, daugh- ters, and people of color. Those who don’t bow to the sound of his music are thrown in the fiery furnace.”
Retired Tampa Police Offi- cer Susan Bowers said, “When I heard about what happened to SAO Andrew Warren, I was not shocked because Governor DeSantis has been in serious over- reach status, just to hold office and power. I say and know God is all power. And, He sits on the Throne.
“Sadly each and every Chief standing behind the Governor proclaiming Mr. Warren is a fraud, may want to take a hard long look at their agencies, and what's going on inside them.
It is a dangerous precedent to tell lies about cases that have not been presented to the State Attorney’s Office.
“There are so many other things to address in our com- munities, let's start with really caring about each other, with- out a photo op for votes, Crim- inal Justice Reform that in many cases affect only people of color. There are many im- portant things that are hap- pening around the world and community, and it's not to de- grade each other with lies, and how we feel... I will continue to pray for all of us.”
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