Delray Pride Intersection Vandal Case Postponed

 By Christina Lilly, South Florida Gay News

What was supposed to be a trial date turned into a calendar call in the case of the man alleged to have vandalized the Pride intersection in Delray Beach.

Alexander Jerich and his new attorney met with the State Attorney’s Office Friday morning and decided on a potential plea conference for the morning of March 1.

If the case is not resolved that day, or if Jerich doesn't file a motion for continuance, there is a potential trial date of March 8, Richard T. Clausi Jr., chief of the Misdemeanor Division at the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office.

The “calendar call” on Feb. 11 was originally scheduled to be a trial date back in October. Just days later, Jerich was pulled over for driving 87 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone. He paid $356 in fines and court fees and is also required to take a defensive driving course. Jerich also appears to have a new lawyer; he is now being represented by West Palm Beach attorney Robert Pasch.

Jerich, 22, is accused of burning out his truck over the intersection during a birthday celebration caravan for former President Donald Trump just days after the intersection was dedicated in June 2021. A video was posted to social media of the burnout, and a witness from the caravan came forward to report the incident to the Delray Beach Police Department.

Jerich was arrested on June 17 and charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, reckless driving and evidence of prejudice (felony enhancement). However, in August, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg dropped the hate crime charge. He explained in a press conference that the case did not meet one of the requirements of the law to move forward with a hate crime — he explained that the victim was from the city of Delray Beach, which does not have a sexual orientation or gender identity.

The office also looked into charging Jerich under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new Combating Public Disorder statute, but Aronberg said that the case did not meet the requirement of the memorial honoring or recounting “the past or public service of a Florida or United States resident.”

The Year in Review -- and 2020 Too!

 

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The Year in Review and 2020 Too!

A look back at LGBTQ+ progress  throughout Palm Beach County over the past two years

DECEMBER 2021 At PBCHRC's request, State Senator Tina Polsky and State Representative Emily Slosberg file legislation to extend hate crimes protections to include those committed against government-owned properties NOVEMBER 2021 PBCHRC Board Member Sean Conklin is appointed to the Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Board. The Village of Wellington earns a perfect score on the annual Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Municipal Equality Index. The City of West Palm Beach earns a perfect score on the annual Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Municipal Equality Index. ​ SEPTEMBER 2021 The Village of Royal Palm Beach designates all single-occupancy restrooms in the soon to be constructed Village Hall as Gender Neutral JUNE 2021 Progress Pride colors illuminate Nancy Graham Centennial Square and Fountain and the surrounding buildings at a special Clematis By Light display on June 1st to kick off LGBTQ Pride in West Palm Beach Palm Tran rolls out a bus wrapped in a Progress Pride color design with PBCHRC and Compass logos for Pride Month. The bus runs on the system's longest route, from Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton. PBCHRC Charitable Foundation establishes the W. Trent Steele Legal Advocacy Awards -- scholarships for second and third year law school students from Palm Beach County. The City of Boynton Beach installs an LGBTQ Progress Pride intersection streetscape near City Hall and illuminates the city's water tower in Progress Pride colors. Palm Beach County Commissioners establish an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The City of Delray Beach installs an LGBTQ Progress Pride intersection streetscape in the Pineapple Grove Arts District. MAY 2021 The City of West Palm Beach installs four LGBTQ Pride Rainbow crosswalks in Northwood Village. The 2021 Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards are presented to graduating seniors Sol Lima of Jupiter Community High School, Ekko Greenbaum of Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and Vanessa Whittle of Royal Palm Beach High School. APRIL 2021 By unanimous vote, the West Palm Beach City Commission voted to designate H.G. Roosters as a Historic Preservation Site. ​ At the request of Boynton Beach Vice Mayor Ty Penserga and PBCHRC, the Boynton Beach City Commission approves the creation of an LGBTQ Pride public art. FEBRUARY 2021 The Town of Lake Park enacts an LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights ordinance. The School District of Palm Beach County requires public schools to require gender-neutral caps and gowns for graduations. PBCHRC Board Member Jasmin Lewis is presented the Palm Beach County Democratic Party Black History Community Award. JANUARY 2021 Palm Beach County amends its Equal Opportunity Ordinance by extending protection from discrimination to employees working for small businesses (those with 5-14 employees). PBCHRC Vice President Meredith Ockman is appointed to serve on the Palm Beach County Housing Authority's Family Self-sufficiency Program Coordinating Committee DECEMBER 2020 The City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County file Joint Petition for Panel Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc in Otto v. City of Boca Raton, the case seeking to strike down their ordinances banning conversion therapy.  The Cities of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach, and West Palm Beach, Florida join the City of Miami's amicus brief in support of The City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County's Joint Petition for Panel Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc in Otto v. City of Boca Raton.  West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James signs on to the Freedom for All Americans letter to Members of Congress urging them to enact comprehensive federal LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections.  The City of West Palm Beach earns a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Municipal Equality Index. Only six other municipalities in Florida were awarded 100 points. NOVEMBER 2020 A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reverses the District Court’s denial of plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction in Otto v. City of Boca Raton and remands the case to the District Court, thus allowing the therapists to, once again, practice their quackery on local children. The City of South Bay adopts an LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights resolution. OCTOBER 2020 The City of Riviera Beach enacts an LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights ordinance. The Commissioners of the Port of Palm Beach unanimously vote to add "gender identity or expression" to the Port's Equal Opportunity Statement for all Port policies and contracts. PBCHRC Board Member G. Joseph Garcia is named to the Board of Directors for the FSU Pride Alumni Network SEPTEMBER 2020 The Towns of Haverhill and Juno Beach enact LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights ordinances. The City of Palm Beach Gardens adopts a resolution denouncing hate crimes and discrimination against LGBTQ people. AUGUST 2020 The Village of North Palm Beach enacts an LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights ordinance. The City of West Palm Beach amends its Equal Opportunity Ordinance by extending protection from discrimination to employees working for small businesses (those with 5-14 employees). PBCHRC Board Member Chauncey Graham is appointed to serve on the West Palm Beach Mayor's Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality and selected for Leadership Florida Connect 2021. JULY 2020 PBCHRC Board Member Jasmin Lewis is named Victory Fund Empowerment Fellow. JUNE 2020 The City of Westlake enacts an LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights ordinance. G. Joseph Garcia is named Chair of PBCHRC Charitable Foundation. MAY 2020 PBCHRC Board Member Jasmin Lewis elected delegate to Democratic National Convention. The 2020 Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards are presented to graduating seniors Kyle Ahern and Theo Shusterman of the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, and to Endora Guillaume of Park Vista Community High School APRIL 2020 The Boynton Beach City Commission unanimously votes to designate all single-occupancy restrooms in municipal properties "All Gender." PBCHRC becomes a “trusted voice” for the County efforts regarding the 2020 U.S. Census. MARCH 2020  Ty Penserga, an openly gay man, was re-elected to the Boynton Beach City Commission and became the city's Vice Mayor. Ray Caranci, an openly gay man, is elected to the Haverhill Town Council. FEBRUARY 2020 Palm Beach County‘s Facilities Development & Operations Department designates single-occupancy restrooms in properties owned and leased by the County as “All Gender.” PBCHRC Board Member Tamara Sager joins the Palm Beach County Multicultural Committee and Complete Count Committee. JANUARY 2020 The City of West Palm Beach designates the single-occupancy restrooms in the City Hall Complex as "Gender Neutral."

Visit Our Website

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The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC)  is Florida's oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.  We promote equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Over the years, PBCHRC has been responsible for the implementation of more than 150 laws and policies providing equal protections, rights, and benefits for the LGBTQ community.   Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Post Office Box 267 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 (561) 358-0105 www.pbchrc.org Please follow "PBCHRC" on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for the PBCHRC blog - pbchrc.blogspot.com/ A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC'S Registration Number is CH46486. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

Please join PBCHRC and PBCHRC Charitable Foundation at Vita Nova's Manatees & Martinis

 

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Please join PBCHRC and PBCHRC Charitable Foundation at Vita Nova's Manatees & Martinis

Please join PBCHRC and PBCHRC Charitable Foundation at Vita Nova's Manatees & Martinis at Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach on Saturday evening, March 19 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Serving more than 400 young people in Palm Beach County, Vita Nova is a safe bridge to independence for former foster care, LGBTQ and other homeless youth through supportive housing, education, employment and life skills training. As the voice of homeless young adults, Vita Nova is working to eliminate homelessness for youth ages 18 to 25 years old in Palm Beach County.

Guests at Manatees & Martinis will experience an exhilarating evening on the water featuring an array of culinary delicacies, exotic beverages, live music, and possible manatee sightings. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on unique auction items.

Proceeds from Manatees & Martinis will go towards Vita Nova’s Housing Program and Independent Living Services

Vita Nova Village is the nonprofit’s housing program for young adults ages 18-25 that have turned 18 in the foster care system or young adults in the community who are homeless. The program is designed to assist young adults to learn to live independently while completing goals related to school and work. This is done by providing life skills classes for our participants, setting individual goals, and holding youth accountable for their successes and challenges. Vita Nova provides support services that are on-and-off site. Vita Nova’s Independent Living Services aids young adults who were once minors in foster care in Palm Beach County and turned 18 years old while in care. The objective of the program is to assist with obtaining the life skills and education necessary to become self-sufficient, live independently, and maintain employment.

Tickets are $175 and Sponsorships begin at $2,500 To purchase tickets and for more information, click here

Contributions are welcome in any amount If you are unable to attend Manatees & Martinis and would like to support Vtya Nova's programs, feel free to contribute by clicking here

Contributions benefit Vita Nova Inc. a not for profit tax exempt organization. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AT FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM OR BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-7352. Registered Charitable # CH12126. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. 100% of each contribution is received by Vita Nova Inc. No goods or services were provided from the organization for the contribution.

Visit PBCHRC's Website

Visit PBCHRC's Blog

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC)  is Florida's oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.  We promote equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach. Over the years, PBCHRC has been responsible for the implementation of more than 150 laws and policies providing equal protections, rights, and benefits for the LGBTQ community.   Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Post Office Box 267 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 (561) 358-0105 www.pbchrc.org Please follow "PBCHRC" on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for the PBCHRC blog - pbchrc.blogspot.com/ A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC'S Registration Number is CH46486. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

Do you know any college-bound LGBTQ+ high school seniors?

 

‌ CHARITABLE FOUNDATION G. Joseph Garcia,  Foundation Chair Jasmin Lewis,  Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards Committee Chair Please forward this to college-bound, graduating LGBTQ+ high school seniors Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards Scholarship Application Daniel S. Hall and Jax Martin The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Charitable Foundation is accepting applications for the 2022 Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards – college scholarships available to graduating LGBTQ+ high school seniors from Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Each year our Charitable Foundation awards these scholarship to local college bound high school seniors who have demonstrated an interest in advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.   PBCHRC's Social Justice Award is named after Daniel S. Hall, a local attorney who manages a financial counseling company. Hall has served as the Treasurer of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council since 1990 and is its longest serving board member. As a father of three, an activist, and a mentor of gay youth, Hall has always had a strong interest in education. For further information, contact Jasmin Lewis at  jasminklewis@gmail.com  For an application form, click here For recommendation forms (two are required), click here Applications and recommendations are due no later than midnight April 15, 2022 PBCHRC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION BOARD Rand Hoch, President Meredith Ockman, Vice President Daniel S. Hall, Treasurer Rae Franks, Secretary Sean Conklin Chauncey Graham W. Trent Steele Visit Our Website Visit Our Blog The PBCHRC Charitable Foundation is organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code exclusively  for educational and charitable purposes. The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) is Florida's oldest, independent, non-partisan, political organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. PBCHRC Charitable Foundation Post Office Box 267 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 (561) 358-0105 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PBCHRC Charitable Foundation's Registration Number is  N19000006727. To obtain registration information, you may consult the website or call 800-435-7352.

Palm Beach County Human Rights Council | P. O. Box 267, West Palm Beach, FL 33402