Ocoee discusses Ocoee Election Day Massacre marker, bans medical marijuana centers

The proposed marker to memorialize victims of the Ocoee Election Day Massacre, banned medical marijuana dispensaries, and discussed a proposed project to construct an office park.

By Gabby Baquero
| 6:45 p.m. November 8, 2017

The current marker memorializing the victims of the Ocoee Election Day Massacre of 1920.

West Orange Times & Observer
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OCOEE BUSINESS PARK

The Ocoee City Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 7, held the first reading and public hearing for a proposed ordinance regarding a 44.12-acre land development project titled Ocoee Business Park, which will be located south of the CSX railroad tracks and west of Maguire Road. The ordinance was in reference to the preliminary large-scale site plan for the project, which is proposed to be an office park consisting of three warehouse buildings totaling a maximum of 646,366 square feet. The permitted uses of the buildings will be limited to light manufacturing and warehousing. Two access points to the site will be from Maguire Road and a third access point is proposed on the northern property line near the railroad. City staff has recommended approval of the preliminary site plan.

OCOEE MASSACRE MEMORIAL INSCRIPTION

The city's Human Relations Diversity Board is currently working with the Equal Justice Initiative to install two markers dedicated to the victims of the Ocoee Election Day Massacre of 1920. During this event, black citizens were lynched for trying to exercise their right to vote in November 1920.

The precise details of what happened and how many African Americans were killed is deeply contested, however, the event resulted in the brutal murders of at least six black citizens, who were killed by the Ku Klux Klan, and the exile of the entire black population living in what was then-unincorporated Orange County and is now the City of Ocoee.

During the Nov. 7 commission meeting, the chairwoman of the city's HRDB read the text proposed to be inscribed on the markers.

PROPOSED INSCRIPTION

"In 1920, black residents in the Ocoee area owned land and businesses and were eager to vote. Despite a terrorizing Ku Klux Klan march on Orlando streets on Oct. 30, 1920, Mose Norman and other African Americans attempted to vote. They were turned away. After seeking advice from Orlando Judge John Cheney, Norman again attempted to vote.

Armed whites stationed at the polls immediately assaulted him. Reportedly, he fled to the home of his friend and business comrade, July Perry. A mob seeking to capture Perry and Norman then surrounded and attacked Perry's home. Perry suffered a severe wound during the raid and was arrested and jailed.

The next morning, Nov. 3, 1920, a lynch mob took Perry from his cell, beat him severely and hanged him at the entrance of the Orlando Country Club. His lifeless body was shot repeatedly.

Mobs of White men from surrounding cities then traveled to the northern quarters of Ocoee to join local white citizens in torching homes and businesses of black residents. For two days, the mob burned 25 black homes, two black churches and a Masonic Lodge.

Reports of black residents killed in the violence range from six to over 30 casualties. Survivors fled, never to return. The black community of Ocoee was forced out.

Decades later, people of all races in Ocoee come together to acknowledge this painful history in hope of a better future."

"We've determined that we've got – what we think – is an outstanding script," said HRDB chairwoman Crown, before reading the script.

Because accounts of what occurred vary, some argue about the number of black citizens killed during the incident – with estimates reaching as high as 60. Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson found issue with an aspect of the proposed wording in reference to this number and requested that proof be provided to the city commission.

"Well, I've still got a problem with the statement of six to 30 (individuals killed)," Johnson said. "There's no such records ... no, you've got to show me the records; then we'll discuss it."

Once the wording is finalized, the proposed markers will be located at the traditional cemetery site and a highly visible part of downtown Ocoee near Starke Lake.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

The mayor and commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance intended to ban permitting for Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Dispensaries from being located within the city's limits. According to city documents, the ordinance was drafted in response to a state Senate bill the Legislature adopted in June. The bill, the commission believes, is too restrictive and strips municipal government authority pertaining to regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries.

"The biggest problem I have is the state legislature taking away our home rule ... but it’s my understanding we can come back to this in the future,” said Ocoee District 1 Commissioner John Grogan.

The controversial Senate bill gives city and county governments two options: a governmental authority may choose to either ban such facilities altogether or treat such facilities like pharmacies, which means the governmental authority would have to forfeit the right to regulate both the number of medical marijuana dispensaries that may be permitted, as well as their location.

“The state legislature tied our hands,” said Ocoee District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen.

IN OTHER NEWS

Commissioner John Grogan announced as a reminder that Clarke Road will be closed at A. D. Mims Road starting Nov. 14 for a week so that the Florida Central Railroad may improve the railroad crossing there.
The Ocoee City Commission meeting scheduled for Nov. 21 has been canceled. The next city commission meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5.