Conch Republic

While these actions have been described by some as "tongue-in-cheek", they were motivated by frustrations over genuine concerns.

A conch shell

In 1982 the United States Border Patrol established a road-block and inspections point on United States Highway 1, which runs north from Key West over a series of causeways and is the Keys' only land link to the mainland. The US Federal Government hoped to find illegal drugs or illegal immigrants in the roadblock. The Key West City Council repeatedly complained about the roadblocks, which were a major inconvenience and aggravation for people traveling from Key West, and hurt the Keys' important tourism industry.

After various complaints were unanswered by the Federal Government, and attempts to get a legal injunction against the "blockade" failed in court, on 23 April, 1982 Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow and the city council declared their independence. They declared that since the Federal Government had set up the equivalent of a border station as if the Keys were a foreign nation, the Keys might as well become such. Mayor Wardlow was proclaimed Prime Minister of the independent Conch Republic. The Conch Republic then declared war against the USA, then quickly surrendered, and applied for foreign aid.

This move succeeded in generating great publicity for the Keys' plight, and the road-block/inspection station was removed.

Although officially independent for less than a day, many in Key West continue to identify with the Conch Republic. The Conch Republic flag (showing a conch shell in a sun burst on a field of blue) is commonly seen in the city, and Conch "Independence Day" is celebrated with festivities every 23rd of April.

The Conch Republic issued its own postage stamps (or perhaps cinderellas).

External Links

• Welcome to the Conch Republic
• History of the Conch Republic

Referenced By