Conch Republic Independence - Raising the Flag

April 17, 2015 • 2 Comments

Conch Republic Independence Celebration Days "The Raising of the Colors"
Today our little Republic kicked off the 33rd annual Conch Republic Independence days celebration with the Flag Raising Ceremony at historic Fort Taylor.

This week Key West celebrates the 33rd Anniversary of the Conch Republic Independence, back in 1982 the US Border Patrol set up a blockage for all vehicles leaving the Florida Keys. This heinous act effectively isolated Keys Citizens from the U.S. mainland. The entire community protested, seeking a court injunction to stop the federal blockade, but to no avail. On the Court house steps then 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 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!

Each year Key West Celebrates with the motto “ We Seceded Where Others Failed”

The annual celebration includes activities like: Conch Cruiser Car Show, Rum Festival, Music Festival, Conch Republic Military Reception & Muster, Pet stroll down Duval, Bed race down Duval street, Drag Queen Races, Conch Republic Naval Parade and re-enactment of the Great Bloody Sea Battle, Craft fair, Duval Crawl, Victory Party and of course a Grand Parade,

Only in Key West, a place that where I can live my life’s motto: “ You are only young once but can be immature forever”

Check out some more images from today’s event at: http://www.wkimages.net/ConchRepublic

CIA Shhh! -- "Cuties in Action"

Conch Republic Naval Officers

Opening Ceremony for the Raising of the Colors

Raising of the Flag

Conch Republic official colors

Conch Republic Ambassador Carolann Sharkey with Cuban Ambassador Renier Rodriguez

Cuban Ambassador Renier Rodriguez

Admiral Finbar leads the Conch Republic National Anthem

The Conch Republic National Anthem

Cuban Ambassador Renier Rodriguez & CIA Agent Linda Klipp

Mikaela Anderson with her dad the late Sir Peter Anderson

Speeches, speeches speeches

Mayor Cates with First Lady, Cuban Ambassador Renier Rodriguez & CIA Agent Linda Klipp

Blowing of the Conch

Isn't that the Truth!

Check out some more images of Conch Republic Independence Days at: http://www.wkimages.net/ConchRepublic , http://www.KeyWestPhotos.me

* Any use of these images requires the prior written permission of Bill or Linda Klipp the photographers, no other uses of any kind including print or electronic are permitted without the prior written permission of the photographer

Comments

Jeff(non-registered)

great photos...love your work!

Jeff
http://www.printradiant.com | http://www.printlinkage.com | http://www.hitsticker.com | http://www.stickermac.com

Constance Gilbert aka Miss Shugganah(non-registered)

Thank you!

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