Democratic Party Platform Committee votes Down Legalization

Shame on you
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, 
Ana Cruz, Oscar Braynon II, 
Mia Jone and Khurrum Wahid
Yesterday, the Democratic Party’s delegates appointed to their Platform Committee convened to vote on several key issues. One issue of importance was the topic of the legalization of cannabis. The presumptive nominee for the Democrats, former Vice-President Joe Biden, has not been a champion for legalization. Rather, he has adopted a lukewarm stance on the issue. This should come as no surprise to students of American politics. Biden served as a U.S. Senator for over 30 years and VP to Barack Obama for another eight, yet in all that time his record on criminal justice reform remains tarnished by his own support for the prison-industrial complex. He is no paragon of justice. Joe Biden is often credited as the architect behind the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The ’94 crime bill is frequently reference by social scientists as the driving force behind mass incarceration and the racial disparities in the modern criminal justice system. MORE

Chris Cano
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"I am disappointed in Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s vote, and in the votes of all those who struck legalization of cannabis from the DNC platform. It stifles progress, discourages voters, and is contrary to what a majority of Democrats want — registered voters and elected officials who ran for President in 2020! What is their rationale here?" Asher Edelson

Tampa’s Castor: A Distrusted, Unrepentant Racist

Her actions as Tampa’s police chief from 2009-2015 undermined race relations and her inaction to repair them as mayor during her turbulent 14-month tenure lend validity to that perception. Jane Castor wears the title of Tampa mayor but a more accurate representation to the city’s majority of African Americans would be Racist-in-Chief.

"Racial profiling, violation of civil rights, and direct violence are all behaviors and policies that Jane Castor failed to address as Chief of Police. Utilizing tear gas and pepper spray against demonstrators, arresting journalists, and condoning police corruption are all crimes that in any other place would be considered war crimes and crimes against humanity. The recent calls for Chief Dugan to resign were met by the Mayor with a clear statement 
of solidarity.” Chris Cano

The Restorative Justice Coalition is demanding that Castor answer for the 2014 death of Arthur Green Jr., a 63-year-old black elder who had a diabetic emergency.  Tampa Police Department responded by placing him in a similar position as George Floyd, which led 
to his death. 
Jim Bleyer

Tampa Bay Protesters Beware

Terrorism in our community. Here is a local “small business” owner threatening to run over protesters and her associate threatening death on folks who are asking police to stop shooting unarmed innocents. For all my chickenshit Tampanians suffering from white privilege, you are more likely to be shot by a TPD officer with a hard on than attacked by 

peaceful protestors. 

Chris Cano

Christopher Cano: Live as a coward co-signing racism with silence

I want police to respect the constitutional rights of all. I want my black friends to feel safe in the country and communities they built. I want justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Arthur Green, and hundreds of others. I want to see the every mayor and police chief who launched assaults on protestors removed from office for violating their oaths. If that makes me a radical, then come for me. I would rather die fighting the powers that be than live as a coward co-signing racism with silence.

Christopher Cano

Tampa Getting Loud Works

"Speak up and engage your city council. Shout to all the city council members who reached out this weekend and pressed the Mayor to figure out how we get body cameras now."
 Christopher Cano

HERE

Chris Cano on City GOV.

Tampa leaders vote down police body camera deal HERE

---So, we have a militarized police department, enabled by a Mayor that turned a blind eye to police corruption under her tenure as Chief, that is now issuing ultimatums to halt protests and you all didn’t think it wise to spend money on the very camera systems that hold these corrupt killers with badges accountable?

Please explain...and if you choose to not answer or untag yourself, we are all watching.

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Update: 

Appreciate all the members of the city council today who have reached out since posting this story, bill carlson, guido maniscalco, orlando gudes, luis viera. glad this vote is to be revisited. body cameras are a good first step...yet the citizenry needs real power to hold accountable its police when the justice system fails to deliver. citizen’s review boards with subpoenas and punitive power are 
the logical next step.
Christopher Cano

Tampa Berners Chris and Russell

We have two members of Suncoast NORML seeking to represent Tampa Bay at the Democratic National Convention as delegates for Bernie Sanders.

Our executive director, Christopher Carlos Cano is seeking the nomination from Congressional District 14 which encompasses urban Tampa 

and Russell Giambrone is seeking the nomination from Congressional District 16 which encompasses the Southern part of Hillsborough County.

Any registered Democrat may cast their vote for their respective delegates by requesting a virtual ballot before 5pm today at FloridaDems.org/Delegates

Chris Cano For Bernie Delegate

I am asking for your vote to represent Florida's 14th Congressional District at the DNC as a Bernie Sanders Delegate. Click HERE to request your ballot 

before May 13th 

Tampa Berner Christopher Cano

I asking for your vote to represent Florida's 14th Congressional District at the DNC as a Bernie Sanders Delegate. Click the link to request your ballot before May 13th in order to cast your vote for which delegates will represent you at the Democratic National Convention.

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Often times we find partisan politics to cause divides and gridlock on key issues. Marijuana Legalization should not be one of them.

Delegate elections to represent Florida at the DNC & RNC are coming up in May 16th in the Tampa Bay Area.

If you are registered Democrat or Republican you are eligible to vote in your party’s delegates selected to their national conventions where important issues such as ending cannabis prohibition are decided 
in the party platform.

Click your Political Party’s Link to Register for a Ballot before May 13th.

Democrat:

https://www.floridadems.org/delegates

Republican:

https://florida.gop/caucus-elections/

Christopher Cano for DNC Delegate

I would like to formally announce my candidacy for DNC Delegate from Congressional District 14 for
Bernie Sanders.
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With the COVID-19 pandemic taking hold, the Florida Democratic Party has chosen to move delegate voting to an online ballot which you must request before May 13th. Ballots will be emailed and must be completed between May 14th, 2pm and May 16th, 2pm. Request your ballot by clicking here:

https://www.floridadems.org/delegates
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Any registered Democrat from Congressional District 14 may Request a Sanders Delegate Ballot and cast your vote.

I am asking for your vote as a DNC delegate to continue to fight for the issues in which we believe. Medicare 4 All, Canceling Student Debt, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Social & Economic Justice, Equality for All, Protecting our Environment, and the Legalization of Marijuana.

We cannot let our revolution die

"Michigan was a tough one, however, delegates are awarded proportionally and there are 2/3rds of states left to vote. The delegate spread is less than 150 and delegates are still to be assigned in states Bernie has won.

Keep dialing, keep knocking, keep donating. We cannot let our revolution die. Did you really think the ruling class and the democratic establishment that is beholden to them would cede power without a fight?" Chris Cano

Ybor Paparazzi

Chris and Carlos

Tampa Crabs

"Sad part of all this is seeing so many Democrats currently in office lending their support to someone who puts campaign donations ahead of the people they serve.

Y’all crabs on this list should take notice that we see you backing sellouts.

Charlie Miranda, Guido Maniscalco,
 Bill Carlson, Luis Viera, Bob Henriquez, 
Mike Suarez, Harry Cohen, John Dingfelder,
 Darryl Rouson, Janet Cruz Rifkin, Dianne Hart,
 Adam Hattersley, Wengay Newton,
 Fentrice Driskell, Joseph Citro" 
Pat Kemp, Orlando Gudes
Christopher Cano

Gary Stein Coming To Ybor City

Join HCYD at 6:30PM on September 17th for their monthly meeting. Discussion will focus on cannabis regulation at both the state and national level. The incomparable Joe Redner will be speaking along with his attorney Adam Elend and cannabis expert Gary Stein. Christopher Cano and Central Florida NORML will also be pairing with us. INFO

Time To Toss Some Ass

"Despite growing support for a climate-focused presidential debate, the Democratic National Committee just announced they have no current plans to allow a serious debate 
on climate solutions.

Even worse, they intend to ban presidential candidates from DNC-backed debates if they agree to participate in any climate debate not authorized by the DNC.

So all in all, ask your DNC member if they support this action, if they do, let’s toss them out on their ass!" Chris Cano

Bringing Out the Worst in Tampa

"To see so many local Democrats supporting systemic white supremacy in Tampa disgust me. You are no friend to the Black and Latino communities. Parading around a candidate for mayor that has made our communities worst off does not make you a social justice warrior, it makes you a hypocrite." Christopher Cano

True social justice warriors!

VISIT LENNY HERE

 #LennyforMayor#TampaMayoralRace #tampa #FloridaPolitics 

#YborCityStogie #TampaMayor

Corruption at TPD

MORE

"When I asked Jane Castor almost 10 years ago, what was she going to do to clean up the department and she replied there were no bad cops under her, I was flabbergasted. Now we see her ineffective leadership in the racist cops she covered for finally coming to light." Chris Cano

Christopher Cano on mayor’s race

“This mayor’s race has brought out into the sunshine where people’s loyalties lie. Many in the African American and Latino communities have been directly and negatively impacted by policies of the Buckhorn Administration. His former police chief, Jane Castor, is seeking to replace him. The same Jane Castor that ran a systemically racist program of enforcement under her tenure. The same Castor who has ties to lobbying firms that provide support and access to Donald Trump. Jane Castor can never get my vote.

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Then you see 1%’er and Republican Donor David Straz who has written checks to former Governor Rick Scott. The same Rick Scott that allowed pollution of our environment and cuts to vital healthcare programs. People vote with their pocket books everyday and David Straz has voted with his for years against us. Now we are supposed to back him because he has a (D) after his name? David Straz will also never have my vote.

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In my humble opinion, anyone from these communities working for these candidates are selling us out. Some are selling out for checks, some for power, but regardless of the motivations, we should all take note as to whom is pushing candidates that for years have directly or indirectly harmed our communities of color in Tampa.

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We are a diverse city with a plethora of ideals and differing values, yet we can all agree that we want a Mayor who thinks of our families when they suit up, Jane Castor & David Straz are not. I encourage every Tampanian to view the other candidates, Cohen, Suarez, Turanchik, Morrison and vote with the one that best aligns to their values and vision
for our home.”

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Christopher Cano

Chris Cano: Tampa Mayor’s Race

So to all my friends & colleagues in Tampa I’m going to sum up the Mayor’s race in a quick cheat sheet for you to 
take to the polls:

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 Harry Cohen - Wants to Legalize Marijuana 

Topher Morrison - Non-Politico Underdog 

Ed Turanchik - Polished Politician 

Dick Greco - Political Dynasty 

Mike Suarez - City Councilman

 David Straz - 1%’er Trump Donor 

Jane Castor - Corrupt & Racist Police Chief

Chris Cano on Our Economy