Earlier this week, Senator Victor Torres (D-Orlando) received a late night, hateful voicemail message from a Polk county resident in response to the Senator’s opposition to a bill that would ban credit card companies from categorizing gun and ammunition purchases. A recording of that message, with private information redacted, is attached. Below is a statement from Leader Lauren Book on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus:
“First, let us be clear: diversity of opinion should never lead to threats of violence — period, the end. Any individual who spews the kind of hateful, racist, threats of violence like those made against Senator Torres — a man who has dedicated his life to public service, from an esteemed career protecting public safety as a New York City cop to his current representation of Central Floridians in the Florida Senate — will be reported to and swiftly dealt with by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
As Democrats, we will not be intimidated or silenced by unlawful threats of violence. We have and will continue to voice our concerns on critical policy issues which shape the very soul of our state — from gun safety to women’s rights and defending freedom of speech, Black history, equality, and more.
Indeed, we must all put partisanship aside to stand up and condemn these threats.”
Senator Victor Torres said, “Republicans are jeopardizing the public safety of all Floridians by empowering these racist zealots with their divisive Hate Agenda. The divisive, partisan political agenda emboldens this disgusting behavior – pushed by the Republican majority. The laws they write are fueling potential violent acts in the future, and neither myself, my family or my constituents will stand by and be victims.”
