An organization backing socialist candidates in Florida took to social media on Friday to bash a venue scheduled to host a campaign rally after the company canceled the reservation over Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) attending.
Gen Z for Change, a progressive nonprofit, was scheduled to host a “Chomp the Oligarchy” rally near Fort Lauderdale at the Venue in Wilton Manors with Tlaib as a featured guest. The organization claimed their reservation was canceled “following a vile and islamophobic intimidation campaign from right-wing agitators and conservative Democrats,” noting they were given an ultimatum on Tlaib’s attendance.
“The owners of The Venue in Wilton Manors gave us an ultimatum: uninvite Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib from the rally or the event would be cancelled,” Gen Z for Change said in a statement on Thursday.
An employee at the venue told the Washington Examiner the cancellation was due to security concerns related to Tlaib visiting the space on short notice, not due to political disagreements.
“[Tlaib is] a high-profile person brought here that we were unaware of … we didn’t have the proper security,” the employee said. “Finding out literally less than 24 hours before this event, not having the proper security, it just didn’t seem right with the community.”
Gen Z for Change did not note the venue’s security concerns in their announcement that the rally location would change, instead claiming outside actors influenced the company’s decision. According to the organization, two venues have canceled their reservation for the rally, and the new invite does not provide an updated location.
“Establishment Democrats and MAGA extremists are watching our movement grow, and instead of trying to meet young voters where they are, they’re desperately trying to cling onto power by silencing us,” the group said. “Instead of listening, they’re stopping to underhanded tactics and leveraging their connections, money, resources, and influence in a blatant attempt to deplatform dissenting opinions.”
Tlaib is set to head to Florida before next week’s primaries and boost socialist House candidates Oliver Larkin and Elijah Manley, who are challenging Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). Additionally, Tlaib is stumping for Senate candidate state Rep. Angie Nixon, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL).
RASHIDA TLAIB TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST TWO JEWISH HOUSE DEMOCRATS
A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Tlaib is vehemently anti-Israel and has made controversial remarks that have been seen as antisemitic. The House candidates she is backing are both vying to unseat her Jewish colleagues.
Moskowitz, who currently represents the 23rd District, is running in Florida’s 25th District this cycle after the state redrew its congressional map, which stretches from Boca Raton to Miami. Wasserman Schultz is running in the redrawn Fort Lauderdale-area 20th District after her seat was axed.