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North Port, FL - The American Indian Movement of Florida categorically rejects the half-hearted, insincere and untimely apology of North Port City Commissioner Rue Berryman who complained his remarks were taken out of context! Florida AIM questions the sincerity of a man who believes that racist remarks can be appropriate in any context.

On Friday, October 20, 2000, AIM Florida filed complaints regarding Mr. Berryman and his fellow commissioners racist banter with the Florida Ethics Commission, Florida Attorney Generals Office of Civil Rights, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights. Florida AIM cited official misconduct, violations of state and federal civil rights and public accommodations law. Florida AIM believes it wholly inappropriate for governmental officials to make such racist and stereotypical remarks at a public meeting, and more so that these commissioners believe there is a context in which such racist remarks are appropriate. Florida AIM finds it disturbing the dearth of state laws regarding the moral and ethical conduct of municipal, county and state officials with regards to their racism.

AIM Florida will survey residents of the City of North Port, who we believe to be people of goodwill. If they are such people of goodwill, Florida AIM will work with those residents in an effort to recall the hateful, racist commissioners currently misrepresenting the goodwill of the residents of North Port, FL. Florida AIM is also reviewing its options to take this matter into litigation against the City of North Port and the commissioners individually.

AIM Florida will continue to protest and take principled actions to insure that these racist commissioners are exposed and hopefully removed from office.