Following the embarrassing events and cancelation of the Governor’s press conference in Jacksonville today, which resulted in the handcuffing of local civil rights leader Ben Frazier, Representatives Nixon and Alexander issued the following statements:
Representative Angie Nixon (D- Jacksonville) had the following statement, “In Florida, the people come last. In Florida, the Governor runs and hides when the people demand to be a priority. In Florida, peacefully questioning authority gets you arrested. Public service is the people’s business and the Governor must answer for his failings. There’s nothing private about America witnessing the suffering that Floridians have endured because of Governor DeSantis’ people-last strategy. The treatment of Mr. Ben Frazier, a disabled civil rights activist and member of my community, was shameful and appalling. After years of failing us, I know beyond a reasonable doubt that our governor is, indeed, an enemy of the people.”
Representative Ramon Alexander (D- Tallahassee), Leader-Designate of the House Democratic Caucus, added, “The hypocrisy of Governor DeSantis’ ‘Free State of Florida’ was on full display today in Jacksonville. It’s only free if you agree with him, and you can only attend his events if you are a cheerleader for his political ambitions. You’re free to catch the virus in Florida, but don’t you dare question the Governor’s policies.
This was a press conference of public officials. The Governor should have found a way to deescalate the situation and hear the concerns of these Floridians. He could have shown leadership and compassion and still had his press conference. Instead, he slipped out the back door as the police handcuffed Ben Frazier.”
