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Socialist Party of Florida

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Socialist Party of Florida
ChairpersonState Executive Committee
Founded1902
HeadquartersZephyrhills, FL
IdeologyDemocratic socialism
National affiliationSocialist Party USA
ColorsRed
Seats in the Upper House
0 / 40
Seats in the Lower House
0 / 40
Website
spflorida.blogspot.com

The Socialist Party of Florida (SPFL) is the Florida state chapter of the Socialist Party USA, a democratic socialist party.[1] The SPFL appeared on ballots during the 2012 US presidential election in Florida and 2014 Florida gubernatorial election.[2][3] It is no longer a registered political party in the state.[4]

History and political activity

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1901–1920

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Establishment

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The first Socialist Party of America (SPA) local in Florida was founded in Orlando on November 18, 1901, a few months after the national party was founded.[5] The original Socialist Party of Florida was founded as a part of the SPA, in July 1902. By 1904, it had more than fifty chapters.[5][6] In July and August of that year county chapters in Manatee, Hillsborough and Duval would nominate candidates for local office who would all run without success.[7] The state party would hold its first convention in Orlando sometime during the first week of July 1904 nominating several candidates to run governor and cabinet positions. During the early 1900s, the Socialist Party in Florida would be impacted by Jim Crow as African-American members were required to be members of their own local chapter separate from white ones or in the case there was an insufficient amount they would be members of the state party directly.[8]

Election of Andrew Pettigrew in Manatee County

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During the 1906 elections, Manatee County would unexpectedly elect Andrew Jackson Pettigrew who was running under the Socialist Party as state representative defeating John A. Graham. Pettigrew had previously ran in 1904 for the same position but was unsuccessful.[9] He had also previously served as the chairman of the Manatee County Socialist Party.[10] During Pettigrew's campaign, journalist Claude L'Engle from the Florida Sun would question Graham's activities in Northern Florida which would end up benefitting Pettigrew at the expense of Graham. L'Engle accused him of swindling several people in several articles published in June and July 1906 which resulted in Graham filing a lawsuit in a circuit court for libel demanding $30,000 on August 2. L'Engle ended up endorsing Pettigrew that month and said voters in Manatee County should shy away from Graham.[11]

1908 elections

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After the 1906 elections the party would generally be optimistic for 1908. A second convention would be held in Tampa on July 4, 1908. Sixty delegates would attend with at least one coming from each of Florida's counties. The party would select its nominees for every state level office with the exception of the Attorney General. The convention would also select candidates to run its three congressional districts along with five electoral college members.[12] Mrs. S. F. J. Linn who was the party's nominee for Superintendent of Schools that year would be the first female candidate to appear on the ballot in a state level race. She would also receive the highest percentage the Socialist Party would ever manage to achieve at 10.4% for a race at the state level.[13]

St. Augustine 1913 municipal elections and inroads in surrounding areas

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During the summer of 1913 the party would make rounds in St. Augustine's municipal elections getting close to winning positions in the municipal government during a contentious campaign with the Democratic party but ended up losing by "only forty-eight votes". Nominees would be: David L. Dunham for mayor, T.J. Speisseger, Candido Meitin for an unknown position and Edgar Manucy for municipal judge. All of the party's nominees came from prominent families in the city and the rest of the party's support came from members of the city's working class. Socialists in St. Augustine showed less consideration for issues of race, ethnicity and class although the city overall was described as having an intense racial, ethnic and religious hierarchy to it.[14][15] They would find more success in Longwood and Hastings which was located nearby where the party would elected justices of the peace for both locations.[16]

Attempts to establish a newspaper

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A newspaper aligned with the party named Florida Beacon would also be launched in 1913 but only lasted for less than a year before it went bankrupt. Another attempt would be made to establish a newspaper for the party named Slege Hammer but it would end up facing the same issues that the Florida Beacon would have. Socialists in Florida would have the same difficulties that were faced at the national level when it came to establishing a media organ for them.[17]

Decline of the party

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The party overall would begin to decline starting in 1917 with the United States' entry into World War I which ended up significantly hurting the party as many saw them as being traitors for not supporting the war effort. With the Russian Revolution occurring in November, much of the public nationally would turn against them. Federal and state officials would increase monitoring in Florida as a result with an emphasis being made on Tampa's Ybor City and West Tampa neighborhoods. By 1920 the party would become virtually irrelevant politically.[18]

1920–present

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The Socialist Party of America voted 73:34 to change its name to Social Democrats, USA in December 1972.[19] SPUSA was founded in 1973, after which the SPFL was founded on March 16, 1998.[citation needed]

The SPFL became inactive in about June 2011 and on December 20, 2011, the Florida Division of Elections revoked the status of the SPFL as a registered party in the State of Florida.[20]

While the party was primarily an activist organization, it was also an official minor party in Florida, which enabled it to field candidates for office.[21] The SPFL ran candidates for president in 2000 (David McReynolds)[22] and 2004 (Walt Brown).[23] In 2006, the SPFL attempted to field a write-in candidate for governor, but failed to gain eligibility.[24] SPFL member Brian Moore was nominated to run for President in 2008 by the SP national convention.[25] In 2010, SPFL member, David Maynard, was elected to the Hillsborough County Soil and Water Conservation Board.[26]

The SPFL had locals in the county of Broward and the Tampa Bay Area.[27]

Platform

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The SPFL is a democratic socialist organization. In 2004, the party described its position as:

We believe the economy should be transformed into a socialist economy that is publicly owned and democratically controlled. The production of goods and services are created by the people and the benefits should be shared by everyone equitably. Our economy should focus on meeting people's basic needs such as healthcare, education, food and shelter, rather than profits. A small percent of the public controls our resources and political power, while the rest of society is oppressed and excluded. Discrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity, gender, age, class, religion, ability/disability and sexual orientation prohibits us from working cooperatively for the benefit of the community.[1]

The SPFL endorsed the positions of anti-racism and socialist feminism, saying:

As socialist-feminists, we differ from both those on the left who fail to recognize feminism as an essential aspect of human liberation, and from those parts of the feminist movement that believe that women's liberation can be achieved without a fundamental change in the economic system... We support independent organization by people of color to fight oppression. Racism will not be eliminated merely by eliminating capitalism.[28]

In the "Principles of the Socialist Party", the party says that it considers a socialist planned economy a way to solve ecological crises. The SPFL endorses full employment and cooperatives.[29]

The SPFL was involved in the anti-war movements around Iraq and Afghanistan, working on behalf of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, and opposing the anti gay marriage amendment effort.[30] In addition, the SPFL worked on bringing a lawsuit against the State of Florida over violations of minor parties' First Amendment rights.[31]

Elected officials

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Formerly and currently elected Florida Socialists:

  • Andrew Jackson Pettigrew, State Representative, Manatee County, 1907–1909[32][6]
  • C.C. Allen, State Representative, Pinellas County, 1909–1911[32]
  • John Dobler, Mayor, Gulfport, 1909–1911[32]
  • James Love, Mayor, Lake Worth, 1914–1916[32]
  • David Maynard, Hillsborough County Soil & Water Conservation Board, Seat 5 2010-[33][1]

Candidates for office

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Gubernatorial candidates

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  • 1908 — Andrew Jackson Pettigrew[18]
  • 1912 — Thomas Cox[34]
  • 1916 — C. C. Allen[35]
  • 1920 — Dr. Furman Whitaker[18]

U.S. Senatorial candidates

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  • 1916 — R. L. Goodwin[36]
  • 1920 — M. J. Martin[36]

U.S. Representatives candidates

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1904

  • 2nd District — W. B Wood[37]
  • 3rd District — George S. Smith[37]

1906

  • 1st District — C. C. Allen[37]
  • 3rd District — T. B. Meeker[37]

1908

  • 1st District — C. C. Allen[37]
  • 2nd District — A. N. Jackson[37]
  • 3rd District — C. N. Wood[38]

1910

  • 1st District — C. C. Allen[37]
  • 2nd District — Thomas W. Cox[39]
  • 3rd District — Eric Vonaxelson[39]

1912

  • 1st District — C. C. Allen[37]
  • 2nd District — J. J. Collins[39]
  • 3rd District — W. N. Lamberry[39]
  • At-large — A. N. Jackson[39]

1916

  • 1st District — Frank L. Sullivan[39]
  • 4th District — A. N. Jackson[39]

1920

  • 1st District — C. W. Smith[40]
  • 2nd District — W. L. Case[40]
  • 4th District — Earl Hunt[40]

2008

  • 20th District — Marc Luzietti[41]

Election results

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State Offices

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Gubernatorial results

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Year Nominee Votes
# %
1904 W.R. Healey 1,270 3.47%[42]
1908 A.J. Pettigrew 2,427 5.79%[43]
1912 Thomas W. Cox 3,467 7.15%[44]
1916 C.C. Allen 2,470 2.98%[45]
1920 F.C. Whitaker 2,823 2.13%[46]

Federal offices

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Presidential results

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Since 1976, the Socialist Party USA has run a candidate for President of the United States. The party's nominee has been on the ballot in Florida in each election since 2000. The candidate who has received the highest vote total in Florida under the Socialist Party USA and nationally was former Oregon State Senator Walt Brown.

Year Nominee Votes
1904 Eugene V. Debs 2,337 (5.95%)[47]
1908 Eugene V. Debs 3,747 (7.59%)[48]
1912 Eugene V. Debs 4,806 (9.45%)[49]
1916 Allan L. Benson 5,353 (6.63%)[50]
1920 Eugene V. Debs 5,189 (3.56%)[51]
1976 Frank Zeidler (write-in) 8 (0%)
1980 David McReynolds (write-in) 212 (0.01%)
1984 Sonia Johnson (write-in) 58 (0%)
1988 Willa Kenoyer (write-in) 14 (0%)
1992 J. Quinn Brisben (write-in) 16 (0%)
1996 Mary Cal Hollis (write-in) 21 (0%)
2000 David McReynolds 622 (0.01%)
2004 Walt Brown 3,502 (0.05%)
2008 Brian Moore 405 (0%)
2012 Stewart Alexander 799 (.01%)
2016 Mimi Soltysik NA

US Senatorial

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Year Nominee Votes
# %
1916 R. L. Goodwin 3,304 4.69%[52]
1920 M. J. Martin 3,525 2.48%[53]

US House

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Year District Nominee Votes
# %
1904 District 2 W.B. Wood 404 2.91%[54]
District 3 George S. Smith 222 2.89%[55]
1906 District 3 T.B. Meeker 384 6.62%[56]
1908 District 1 C.C. Allen 1,297 9.78%[57]
District 2 A.N. Jackson 862 6.10%[58]
1910 District 1 C.C. Allen 2,346 18.23%[59]
District 2 Thomas W. Cox 1,804 12.19%[60]
District 3 Eric Vonaxelson 1,032 10.45%[61]
1912 District 1 C.C. Allen 1,901 12.04%[62]
District 2 J.J. Collins 1,318 7.31%[63]
District 3 W.N. Lamberry 659 6.29%[64]
1916 District 1 C.C. Allen 1,158 6.20%[65]
District 4 A.N. Jackson 1,592 7.44%[66]
1920 District 1 C.W. White 1,074 3.18%[66]
District 2 W.L. Case 312 1.75%[67]
District 4 Earl Hunt 2,019 3.92%[68]

Logos

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The Socialist Party of Florida near the end of its life had four official logos.[citation needed] The linked hands over the world is the official logo of the Socialist Party USA, while the red carnation is the former logo of the SPUSA.[citation needed] The use of both logos was approved by the State Executive Committee of the SPFL in July 2007.[citation needed] In May, 2008, the SEC approved the use of the Red Star Over Florida.[citation needed] In February, 2010, the SEC approved yet another new logo, based on the linked hands over the world and the red star over Florida.[citation needed]

Notes

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1.^ Despite the Socialist Party of Florida becoming inactive in 2011, Maynard is apparently still a member of the Socialist Party USA, and in office as of the fall of 2016.

References

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  1. ^ a b "SPFL Website". Socialist Party of Florida. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-06-07. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  2. ^ "Florida's packed presidential ballot includes Roseanne Barr". The Ocala Star–Banner. 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  3. ^ "On Politics: Races, campaign rhetoric begin heating up". Florida Today. 2014-05-10. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  4. ^ "Political Parties - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State". Florida Division of Elections. Archived from the original on 2018-11-09. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  5. ^ a b "Reports of the State Secretaries" (PDF). The Appeal to Reason. Marxist Internet Archive. July 18, 1903. pp. 2–5. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  6. ^ a b Griffin, R. Steven (2008). "Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 86 (3): 346–379. ISSN 0015-4113. JSTOR 25594628 – via JSTOR.
  7. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920. p. 26.
  8. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920. pp. 27–28.
  9. ^ Griffin, R. Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920. pp. 40–43.
  10. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920. pp. 36–37.
  11. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). "Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressives Era, 1900-1920": 48–51. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ Griffin, R. "CHAPTER 4 - HIGH NOON OF FLORIDA SOCIALISM: THE ELECTIONS OF 1908 AND 1912". Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920. pp. 60–61.
  13. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). Workers of the Sunshine State Unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900-1920. pp. 64–65.
  14. ^ Paul, Brad (1999). "Rebels of the New South: the Socialist Party in Dixie, 1892-1920". ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst: 80–89 – via University of Massachusetts Amherst.
  15. ^ Bowen, Beth; St. Augustine Historical Society (2008). St. Augustine in the Gilded Age. Arcadia Publishing. p. 100. ISBN 9780738553429 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ Paul, Brad (1999). "Rebels of the New South: the Socialist Party in Dixie, 1892-1920". ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst: 80–81 – via University of Massachusetts Amherst.
  17. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). WORKERS OF THE SUNSHINE STATE UNITE!: THE FLORIDA SOCIALIST PARTY DURING THE PROGRESSIVE ERA, 1900-1920. pp. 77–78.
  18. ^ a b c Griffin, R. (2006). WORKERS OF THE SUNSHINE STATE UNITE!: THE FLORIDA SOCIALIST PARTY DURING THE PROGRESSIVE ERA, 1900-1920. p. 61.
  19. ^ Anonymous (31 December 1972). "Socialist Party now the Social Democrats, U.S.A." New York Times. p. 36. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  20. ^ Florida Division of Elections website, at http://election.dos.state.fl.us/PublicRecordsBER/wfPublicImagesBER.aspx?account=27751 .
  21. ^ "Socialist Party of Florida". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  22. ^ "2000 General Election: David McReynolds". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  23. ^ "2004 General Election: Walter F. Brown". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  24. ^ "Florida Elections - Governor".
  25. ^ Kruse, Michael (April 25, 2008). "Life tests Socialist Party presidential candidate's principles". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  26. ^ "Socialist Party Member Elected to Non-Partisan Office in Florida". Ballot Access News. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  27. ^ "Socialist Party of Florida". Socialist Party USA. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  28. ^ "Who We Are". Socialist Party of Florida. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-06-12. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  29. ^ "Principles of the Socialist Party". Socialist Party of Florida. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-06-12. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  30. ^ "Socialist Party of Florida opposes Marriage Protection Amendment". MySpace. July 29, 2007. pp. 2–5. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  31. ^ "THE REFORM PARTY (OF FLORIDA); RALPH NADER; and PETER CAMEJO vs. HARRIET JANE BLACK; ROBERT RACKLEFF, WILLIAM CHAPMAN; and TERRY ANDERSON" (PDF). Florida State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-05. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  32. ^ a b c d Ross, Jack (15 April 2015). The Socialist Party of America: A Complete History. U of Nebraska Press. ISBN 9781612344911.
  33. ^ "Socialist Party Member David Maynard, Green Anita Stewart Win Election to Non-Partisan Hillsborough County Soil and Water Conservation Board in Florida". 4 November 2010.
  34. ^ Griffin, R. (2006). WORKERS OF THE SUNSHINE STATE UNITE!: THE FLORIDA SOCIALIST PARTY DURING THE PROGRESSIVE ERA, 1900-1920. p. 70.
  35. ^ "Letter to Joseph E. Lee Concerning the Florida Gubernatorial Election of 1916". Florida Memory State Library & Archives of Florida. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  36. ^ a b "Florida: U.S. Senators". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h "Florida: U.S. Representatives, 1900s". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  38. ^ "Article 9 - No Title" (PDF). The New York Times. November 4, 1908. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g "Florida: U.S. Representatives, 1910s". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  40. ^ a b c "Florida: U.S. Representatives, 1920s". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  41. ^ "2008 General Election: Marc Luzietti". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  42. ^ "FL Governor Race - November 08, 1904". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  43. ^ "FL Governor Race - November 3, 1908". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  44. ^ "FL Governor Race - November 05, 1912". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  45. ^ "FL Governor Race - November 07, 1916". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  46. ^ "FL Governor Race - November 02, 1920". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  47. ^ "FL US President Race - Nov 08, 1904". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  48. ^ "FL US President Race - Nov 03, 1908". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  49. ^ "FL US President Race - Nov 05, 1912". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  50. ^ "FL US President Race - Nov 07, 1916". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  51. ^ "FL US President Race - Nov 02 1920". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  52. ^ "FL US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1916". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  53. ^ "FL US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1920". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  54. ^ "FL - District 02 Race - Nov 08, 1904". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  55. ^ "FL - District 03 Race - Nov 08, 1904". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  56. ^ "FL - District 03 Race - Nov 03, 1908". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  57. ^ "FL - District 01 Race - Nov 03, 1908". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  58. ^ "FL - District 02 Race - Nov 03, 1908". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  59. ^ "FL - District 01 Race - Nov 08, 1910". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  60. ^ "FL - District 02 Race - Nov 08, 1910". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  61. ^ "FL - District 03 Race - Nov 08, 1910". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  62. ^ "FL - District 01 Race - Nov 05, 1912". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  63. ^ "FL - District 02 Race - Nov 05, 1912". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  64. ^ "FL - District 03 Race - Nov 05, 1912". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  65. ^ "FL - District 01 Race - Nov 07, 1916". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  66. ^ a b "FL - District 4 Race - Nov 07, 1916". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  67. ^ "FL District 2 Race - Nov 02, 1920". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  68. ^ "FL District 4 Race - Nov 02, 1920". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.

Further reading

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  • Griffin, R. S. (2008). Workers of the sunshine state unite!: The Florida Socialist Party during the Progressive Era, 1900–1920. The Florida Historical Quarterly, 86(3), 346–379.
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Platform:

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