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Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus “denounced” state Sen. Frank Artiles Thursday, urging his Senate colleagues to toss him out of the Legislature. “(We) denounce Senator Frank Artiles for his racist, sexist, and otherwise inflammatory comments directed at some of his Senate colleagues,” they said in a statement. The statement was signed by Rep. Richard Stark, chair, and Reps. Lori […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

On Thursday, dozens of protesters gathered outside Frank Artiles‘ office in Kendall to protest racist and sexist slurs he used against Florida Senate colleagues. Constituents from his district called for his resignation, chanting outside the shuttered district office. The protest comes as elected officials, community leaders and organizations throughout the country demand he resigns from the Senate. […]

Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017

Congressman Charlie Crist also wants Frank Artiles gone. “The racial slurs used by Sen. Artiles are deeply offensive to me and the community I represent,” said the St. Petersburg Democrat and former Republican governor in a short statement on Thursday. “He should restore the dignity of the Florida Senate by immediately removing himself from it.” […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2017

The head of the NAACP Florida State Conference is calling for state Sen. Frank Artiles to step down. The organization “stands fully behind the Florida Legislative Black Caucus … and several groups who have called for the resignation of Miami Senator Frank Artiles,” said Adora Obi Nweze, president of Florida’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. […]

Joe HendersonApril 20, 2017

The damage wrought by state Sen. Frank Artiles’ racist rant has ripples that extend far beyond the seats of power in Tallahassee. All it took to confirm that was to type his “Senator Frank Artiles” into Google. Within seconds, a collection of stories popped up that confirms how much impact the bile from his bigoted […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

A great deal has already been said about the yes-he-really-said-it Frank Artiles saga. And there seems to be near-universal agreement on these points: — Artiles is a world-class jerk. — What he said goes far beyond the limits of acceptable. — This was not his first foray into the unacceptable. — Artiles needs professional help. […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2017

Senate Rules Chair Lizbeth Benacquisto has appointed the chamber’s top lawyer to investigate a complaint by next Tuesday seeking to remove Sen. Frank Artiles from office. Senate President Joe Negron announced the move Wednesday in a memo to senators. Benacquisto “found that the complaint states facts supporting a finding of probable cause,” meaning it’s more likely […]

Mitch PerryApril 19, 2017

Florida Democratic Minority House Leader Janet Cruz is calling for Miami Republican Sen. Frank Artiles to step down, following the outrage over published remarks of his racist comments to black Democratic lawmakers. “Frank Artiles’ comments Monday night transcend politics and get to the idea of who we are as people,” said the Tampa Representative in a statement issued late […]

Staff ReportsApril 19, 2017

Equality Florida, the state’s LGBTQ-advocacy organization, Wednesday called for Republican Frank Artiles “to resign … or be removed” from the state Senate. “Once again, Frank Artiles’ bigotry is all over the news, this time because of racist, sexist, and homophobic slurs used against his Senate colleagues and lobbyists in Tallahassee earlier this week,” Public Policy […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2017

Surrounded by fellow black and Democratic lawmakers, Sen. Perry Thurston announced Wednesday he had filed a complaint to remove fellow Sen. Frank Artiles from the Senate. In a move sure to send chills through the Capitol’s lobbying corps, he suggested influencers who were within earshot when Artiles went on his tirade in the private Governors […]

Tag: Frank Artiles

Legislative Jewish Caucus urges Senate to expel Frank Artiles

Kendall protesters call for ‘bully’ Frank Artiles to resign

Charlie Crist adds voice to those calling for Frank Artiles’ resignation

Florida’s NAACP joins those calling for Frank Artiles’ resignation

Joe Henderson: What damage could follow as Frank Artiles’ rant reverberates around the globe?

How Frank Artiles colleagues should respond to his defiance

Senate sets tight timeline on Frank Artiles investigation

Janet Cruz latest Democrat to call for Frank Artiles resignation

Equality Florida calls Frank Artiles to be ousted from office

Black lawmaker seeks to remove Frank Artiles from Senate