In a daring move that has garnered national attention, Collier County has positioned itself as a sanctuary for the Bill of Rights, pushing through an ordinance that fortifies the county’s commitment to safeguarding constitutional liberties from federal overreach. The initiative, spearheaded by County Commission Chairman Chris Hall, underscores the growing concern over encroachments by the federal government, challenging the traditional balance of power between state and national authorities.
“We passed a sanctuary county for our Bill of Rights,” Hall stated, highlighting the distinction between mere resolutions and enforceable ordinances. “This gives the Sheriff of Collier County the teeth he needs to protect our liberties.”
This bold legislative maneuver effectively grants local law enforcement the authority to oppose federal mandates perceived as unconstitutional—a reaction, Hall insists, to the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “People caved. They gave up their liberties, and that didn’t sit right with me,” he added.
The ordinance is structured around the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, particularly the 10th Amendment, which states that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. The ordinance resonates strongly with those who feel that the federal government’s reach has extended too far, imposing arbitrary power that contravenes the fundamental American doctrine of dual sovereignty.
“Through COVID, we saw how quickly liberties could be compromised,” Hall remarked. “This ordinance is a reinstatement of what was always meant to be.”
Echoing recent trends in constitutional sanctuaries seen in several counties across Nevada and New York, Collier County’s ordinance stands as a model, furthering the narrative of local empowerment and resistance against perceived federal overreach.
The ordinance staunchly protects the First Amendment, the right to assemble, due process, and against unlawful searches—essentially the fabric of the Bill of Rights. Such measures aim to curtail any undue federal intrusion, bolstering the authority of local governance to act as a bulwark for personal freedoms.
Hall cited the anti-commandeering doctrine, which prevents the federal government from compelling local enforcement agencies to execute federal directives. “[A} Sheriff of Collier County can say no to federal agencies trying to impose unconstitutional measures,” he declared, portraying this as an act of standing firm against an overpowering federal influence.
The ordinance also introduces substantial penalties for violations within Collier County, allowing accused violators to be sued in circuit court and held civilly liable, thus ensuring strict compliance and emphasizing the county’s unwavering stance on constitutional rights.
Chris Hall urged Americans everywhere to take a page from Collier County’s book and effect change in their own communities. “We’ve lost sight of these principles, but they’re still vital,” he said, advocating for a reawakening to the original intents of constitutional governance.
With growing movements across the country aiming to establish similar sanctuaries, Collier County’s initiative might just spark a wider push for counties nationwide to reclaim their constitutional rights, step by step, ordinance by ordinance.