History
The Libertarian Party of the Florida Keys proudly represents Monroe County.
The Libertarian Party of the Florida Keys is an official affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Florida. We believe in personal and economic freedom and the removal of government meddling in affairs best left to the individual. The LPFK takes after the rebellious spirit of the Conch Republic, where on April 23rd, 1982 the Florida Keys seceded from the Union to form the Conch Republic in an act of protest against a roadblock to the mainland. Libertarians believe in liberty, as the name implies, and we believe liberty should apply equally to every individual, despite their ethnicity, nationality or creed. We believe in making the Florida Keys a freer place where all individual rights are respected and commerce can go unfettered by government bureaucracy. The Libertarian Party of the Florida Keys was officially recognized as an official Libertarian Party affiliate on July 9th, 2014 and continues to grow and flourish within the community it proudly represents, lead by average citizens rather than professional politicians.
Our Mission
We, The Libertarian Party of the Florida Keys (LPFK), do here by take up the charge to affect a change, through peaceable measures, in the governing bodies that affect our lives. We commit ourselves to working toward a drastically less intrusive government. We will promote personal freedom and property rights, lesser taxes, and the concept that individuals own their own bodies. Through peaceful assembly, education of the public and politicians, and running candidates for local, state, and federal offices, we will maintain a visible presence in the Florida Keys. We unequivocally oppose the use of force to achieve social or political goals.
A Brief History of the Conch Republic
The Conch Republic was established by secession of the Florida Keys from the United States of America, on April 23rd, 1982 in response to a United States Border Patrol Blockade setup on highway U.S.1 at Florida City just to the north of the Florida Keys. This heinous act effectively isolated Keys Citizens from the U.S. mainland since the blockade was on our only land artery to and from the mainland. This roadblock portrayed Keys residents as non-U.S. citizens who had to prove their citizenship in order to drive onto the Florida mainland! Hardly an American thing to do!
We protested! A totally American thing to do! Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow along with a few other 'key' Conchs, went to Federal court in Miami to seek an injunction to stop the federal blockade, but to no avail. Upon leaving the Federal Court House , on the court house steps , Mayor Wardlow announced to the world, by way of the assembled TV crews and reporters, that ; "Tomorrow at noon the Florida Keys will secede from the Union!"
At noon, on the day of secession, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. After one minute of rebellion, the now, Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded 1 Billion dollars in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild our nation after the long Federal siege!
Thus began our Conch Republic journey which still continues today! We are both Conchs and we are Americans and we are proud to be both. By act of Congress we hold dual citizenship as Conchs and as Americans and will fight for the right to be both!
Contrary to recent reports, the name "Conch Republic" refers to "all"of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County Florida, northward to "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon" in Florida City , Dade County Florida, with Key West as the Nation's Capitol and all territories north of Key West being referred to as "The Northern Territories". Be it known that these boundaries were established by the U.S. Government when they set up "THE" Border Patrol blockade in front of "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon", in April of 1982, thereby establishing a new United States border!
To enforce the validity of our secession, the Monroe County Commission, in 1994, by unanimous vote, did pass a County Resolution recognizing Mayor Wardlow's actions, on the 23rd of April in 1982, as by, of and for the people of the Florida Keys. Read the full story!
We celebrate our Independence every year with a week long celebration. Click Here for the current schedule of events.
In the quest for recognition, the Honorable Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic has created "Official Conch Republic Passports". The Secretary General has extensively traveled our surrounding Caribbean Nations with nothing more than his Diplomatic Passport and has been well received by many as a Diplomat and as a Government Official of the Conch Republic and even had his passport endorsed by nearly all! Officially, our passports, Diplomats and Citizens, have been well received by 13 Caribbean Nations as well as Germany, Sweden, Havana, Mexico, France, Spain, Ireland, and Russia.
Read more about Our History in detail!
Source: http://www.conchrepublic.com/history.htm