Key West, Fla., will send word to President-elect Donald Trump that it will remain dedicated to equal rights for all after he is sworn in Jan. 20.
"Some people feel that their rights are going to be taken away. Some people feel threatened _ it may not be real, I hope it's not real _ but some people feel that way," City Commissioner Sam Kaufman said this past week before city leaders approved the declaration. "We're blessed to live in Key West. People are safe here to be who they are without fear of retribution."
The Rev. Randy Becker and his wife, Elissa Bishop-Becker, brought to the city the proposal sponsored by Commissioner Sam Kaufman. Randy Becker said it tells the world that Key West will not stop protecting and defending equal rights for all under the new president's administration.
"We're not going back, we're going forward," Becker said.
City Attorney Shawn Smith is also drafting a law to declare Key West a sanctuary city.
Some cities and counties have for years declared themselves sanctuary cities, meaning that they won't comply with federal immigration laws such as jailing suspected undocumented immigrants past their release dates.
Only Commissioner Margaret Romero dissented, saying sending the statement to Trump only reinforces the divide people felt after the presidential election.
"We need to start moving forward in helping to get people past that," Romero said. "I'm not comfortable with this being sent anywhere."
