A Democratic nominee for Congress in Florida was the target of angry protesters after announcing a campaign event would include a congresswoman who once praised Fidel Castro.
Donna Shalala came under fire for the event Wednesday which her campaign advertised would include House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and her California colleague, Rep. Barbara Lee.
I’m in Coral Gables working with @martindvassolo. @NancyPelosi and @RepBarbaraLee were scheduled to campaign for @DonnaShalala and @DebbieforFL here today. About 25 protesters are standing outside, holding signs supporting Republicans and accusing Democrats of being communists. pic.twitter.com/4aStMkFwnx
— Jimena Tavel (@taveljimena) October 17, 2018
The addition of Lee at the event sparked outrage in Florida’s 27th district which is filled with Castro-hating Cuban-Americans and former Venezuelans. Lee called Castro a “smart man” and urged people to “mourn his loss” after his death in 2016.
In the final weeks before the elections, Shalala, the former Health and Human Services Secretary in the Clinton administration, has struggled in the tight race despite the district being won by Hillary Clinton by a 20-point margin over President Trump in 2016.
Cuban-American protesters swarm Shalala event after Castro sympathizer was to appear https://t.co/7IpBzIXdI1 pic.twitter.com/esA4bMCPum
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) October 17, 2018
The inclusion of Lee’s name in promoting the event Wednesday was disastrous for the Democratic House candidate who was campaigning alongside congressional candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Protesters gathered outside the Coral Gables event Wednesday, pounding on the door outside and shouting “go back to Cuba!” “commie!” and “witches!”
The crowd has grown. They’re striking the door to the building where the event will take place. They’re also screaming “commie” and calling the Democrats “witches.” pic.twitter.com/08ZafRtxwp
— Jimena Tavel (@taveljimena) October 17, 2018
“I’m angry,” Frank de Varona told the Miami Herald. “I’m furious.”
The demonstrator took part in the controversial Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Castro regime, where he was freed when President John F. Kennedy paid for his and others’ release, according to the Herald.
Frank de Varona is a veteran part of Brigade 2506 in the Bay of Pigs invasion. He said he’s insulted Democrats invited @RepBarbaraLee, who showed sympathy toward the Castros when Fidel died. “I’m angry,” he said. pic.twitter.com/RVSpL9r5Al
— Jimena Tavel (@taveljimena) October 17, 2018
Lee’s visit was ultimately canceled as Shalala’s campaign amended the information on the website. But there was still a question about who asked her to come, as insiders pointed to Pelosi as the one who extended the invitation.
“Pelosi is the future House speaker. She’s the most powerful Democrat in the chamber,” an unnamed campaign staffer for Shalala told Politico. “We couldn’t offend her and tell her she couldn’t bring her friend. We were stuck.”
“I don’t know who invited her. We have members of Congress popping down here all the time,” Shalala insisted.
“You’re asking me a question that I cannot answer,” Pelosi told Politico. “I would not begin to go down that path because I don’t know what the objection to her was and why she is not here.”
Pelosi wouldn’t give details on how her friend & fellow Calif. Dem, Rep. Barbara Lee, was invited to the Shalala event.
Her explanation, when you listen to folks who know & just look at what happened, makes little sense. People don’t just show up on campaign event announcements pic.twitter.com/pXSzXC4dvp
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) October 18, 2018
Shalala’s opponent, Maria Elvira Salazar, blasted the decision to include Lee.
“It is shameful that a candidate from District 27 would bring a supporter of the Castro regime to campaign with her,” Salazar said in a press release. “This is not only disrespectful for the Cuban exile, but also for the millions of Venezuelans and Nicaraguans, many who live in this district, who are suffering as a result of the Castro regime.”
Shalala did her best at damage control.
“We’re not going to campaign with Barbara Lee. She did not come to stand here by our side,” Shalala said. “I disagree with anyone that praises Castro or praises [Nicaraguan leader Daniel] Ortega…or praises any other dictator… We should be bringing strong sanctions against them. Let me make it clear: Not every member of Congress that comes down here do we agree on every issue, but particularly on the Cuban issue or the Nicaraguan issue or the Venezuelan issue.”
Soon after the event began, police and Secret Service members locked the building due to safety concerns, according to the Herald.
Here’s a picture of the protesters outside. Police and Secret Service locked the doors right now and aren’t letting anyone in anymore. pic.twitter.com/WNLtirergC
— Jimena Tavel (@taveljimena) October 17, 2018
About 10 people are standing outside the back entrance unable to go in. Former Miami Dade county commissioner Katy Sorenson is here. She said she thinks it’s because of the protest that they can’t go in. pic.twitter.com/rhvzpuGlAy
— Jimena Tavel (@taveljimena) October 17, 2018
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- Minnesota Dems promote bills to ban gas-powered lawnmowers, chainsaws - February 18, 2023
- KJP shows off her contempt for Trump with unnecessary jab during comms director’s sendoff - February 11, 2023
- DOJ ramps up a ‘mere review’ to full-fledged investigation after latest Biden doc discovery - January 12, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
