Florida City Repeals Anti-Sagging Pants Law 13 Years After Instituting Ordinance

BY Erika Marie 2.2K Views
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Florida sagging pants law
Back in 2013, Opa-locka passed a law that stated people couldn't sag their pants low enough to show their underwear.

Florida residents may now sag their pants with ease following news that a 13-year-old law has been repealed. In 2007, Opa-locka made headlines after officials passed a controversial ordinance outlawing pants sagging. Those who were found in violation of the law were subject to arrest and-or fines up to $500, and throughout the years, there have been "Sagging Protests" as residents rejected the order. In 2009, a 17-year-old was arrested and held in jail overnight, causing many in Florida to sag their pants in defiance. A 2013 addition to the original law made sure to include that women were also subject to punishments.

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Multiple reports now state that the Opa-locka, Florida City Council has overturned the ordinance in a 4-1 vote. There are a few more legal steps before the ordinance is officially tossed out, but residents are happy that this is no longer hanging over their heads. The commissioner who voted to keep the law in place reported.y stated that he believed the ordinance was to "uplift" young Black men. Others saw it as a law that specifically targeted the Black community considering that "sagging," which began in the prison system, became popular due to hip hop culture.

“I was never in support of it, even as a resident,” Vice-Mayor Chris Davis told the Miami Herald. “I felt it disproportionately affected a certain segment of our population, which is young, African American men.”

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.