FC
EE FR
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BEACH, FL PERMIT #189
www.flcourier.com
Read us online Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/ flcourier
From slave plantation to ‘Africa House’
Follow us on Twitter@flcourier
VOLUME 21 NO. 14
Page B1
www.flcourier.com
APRIL 5 - APRIL 11, 2013
SIN – OR CIVIL RIGHT? Black Floridians are on both sides of the gay marriage controversy BY PENNY DICKERSON SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER
In the 50th anniversary year of the historic March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the United States Supreme Court was challenged to determine the constitutional boundaries of marriage and family. Last week, two pivotal cases were heard by the high court. Now, an America divided over same-sex marriage, and hopeful same-sex couples with dreams of marriage, await what could be groundbreaking legal decisions.
defines marriage only as between a man and a woman. It is widely understood as a ban on gay marriages. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, prevents legally wed same-sex couples from receiving certain benefits by defining marriage as between a man and woman. (Florida has its own version of DOMA that was overwhelmingly passed by the Florida Legislature in 1997.) In 2008, inspired by California’s Proposition 8, strong support from Florida’s African-American voters led to passage of an amendment to the state constitution, which now bans gay marriage in Florida. ThenGov. Charlie Crist supported the amendment, as did then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. Five years and a presidential reelection later, the legalization of gay marriage is front-and-center at the OLIVIER DOULIERY/ABACA PRESS/MCT nation’s highest court. Black Floridians are on both sides of the debate. A young protester stood in front of the U.S. Su-
preme Court on March 27 as the court heard argu‘Church’ speaks ments on a part of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Dr. Kevin W. Church, Sr. holds a Act that prevents legally wed same-sex couples Proposition 8 and DOMA biblical position on same-sex mar- from receiving certain benefits by defining marCalifornia’s controversial ballot See CONTROVERSY, Page A2 riage as between a man and woman. initiative known as Proposition 8
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. / 1929-1968
‘A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent’
Legislature at halftime COMPILED FROM WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS
Florida is safe again for Canadian snowbirds. But halfway through the annual legislative session, most other issues are unresolved. That probably sounds like a bigger deal than it actually is. Legislative sessions move by a time-honored rhythm that culminates in a flurry of deals and bills passing during the final week or two. What’s more, a brighter economy has given a boost to tax collections. That likely will help the House and Senate agree on the only legislation they are legally required to pass before going home – the state budget. “The bottom line is, there’s nothing like having some money,’’ Senate Rules Chairman John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Wednesday, the 30th day of the 60-day regular session.
Real issues ahead The House and Senate, however, will have to grapple with difficult issues during the next month, including trying to find an alternative to expanding Medicaid, revamping the state retirement program and making changes in the education, property insurance and elections systems. Also, some issues that have drawn huge amounts of attention appear to be on the road to legislative nowhere. As an example, remember the furor about the “Stand Your Ground” law after the shooting death of teen Trayvon Martin in Sanford? Don’t expect any changes to scale back the law. Legislative sessions start with a burst of attention and then are filled with weeks of bills grinding through committees before the sometimes-frantic end game.
No special permits One exception this spring was a bill to repeal a 2012 law that called for foreign visitors to get special driving permits in their home countries before hitting the roads in Florida. The requirement created confusion and consternation, particularly among Canadians who head south for the winter. Lawmakers quickly pushed through the repeal bill, and Gov. Rick Scott signed it this week. “We want everybody to come to our state, both from the other 49 states and from around the world,’’ Scott said. “We love international visitors.” Another issue that appears on a fast track to Scott is an effort to shut down Internet cafes, which critics have long argued are “storefront casinos” that offer computerized games similar to slot machines. That issue was not a priority early in the session but quickly jumped to the front of the line after raids of Internet cafes across the state – and the resignation of Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll because of her past consulting work for one of the industry’s biggest players.
Not as easy
RICHARD L. COPLEY
Forty-five years ago this week, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was marching with these garbage workers in Memphis, Tenn. when he was murdered on April 4, 1968. Read a commentary on how MLK’s death affected the antiwar movement on Page A2.
But many issues aren’t as easy to resolve as getting Canadian drivers back on the road or shuttering Internet cafes. Republican leaders, for instance, have decided against expanding Medicaid eligibility under “Obamacare” and say they want to come up with an alternative to offer health services to low-income people. The question is, how? And will RepubliSee SESSION, Page A2
Charges dropped against White supremacy group Rettenmaier, 26, were scheduled to stand trial Monday on charges of participating in paramilitary training and conspiring to KISSIMMEE – Central Florida’s largest shoot into a building. They now join eight domestic terrorism case ever continued to other members who faced similar chargfall apart Monday in Osceola County. es, only to have the charges dropped. Just before a trial was scheduled to begin, all charges were Little insight dropped against two of the When the arrests began last spring by last three members of the the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, most of American Front accused the 14 defendants were held for weeks with last year of training for a bail set at an unusually high $500,000. race war. No explanation There has been little insight into the was given. It’s been nearly a year case since the arrests of American Front since 14 members of the members began in May 2012. The decision to drop the charges Monneo-Nazi white supremMarcus day morning was reached after consultaacy group were arrested. Faella Only Marcus Faella, 40, the tion with Orange-Osceola State Attorney accused head of the American Front, still Jeff Ashton, according to a written statefaces trial in May. ment released Monday afternoon. His wife, Patricia Faella, 37, and Dylan Three people have been convicted in BY HENRY PIERSON CURTIS ORLANDO SENTINEL / MCT
ALSO INSIDE
connection with the case: Christopher Brooks, 28, was sentenced to three years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Luke Leger, 32, and Kent McLellan, 22, were sentenced to four years of probation for pleading no contest to participating in paramilitary training. All 14 people arrested last year – after a two-year undercover investigation of paramilitary activities in remote eastern Osceola County – had been accused of training with AK-47s and other weapons with plans to kill Jews, immigrants and minorities. Faella could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted at trial in May of “directing the activities of a gang evidencing prejudice,” or running a racist criminal gang, according to court records and interviews. He’s also charged with conspiracy to shoot into a building and teaching paramilitary training evidencing prejudice.
SNAPSHOTS FLORIDA | A3
Professor who used ‘step on Jesus’ lesson says he’s a Christian South Florida contractor to train Blacks for infrastructure jobs
NATION | a6
FINEST | B5
Education taking big hit from sequester
Meet Dwayne
COMMENTARY: CHARLES W. CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A4 COMMENTARY: MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN: THE NRA IS AFRAID OF THE TRUTH | A5