Democrats across the state of Florida are responding to antisemitic graffiti found in Weston, Florida. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) held a press conference, denouncing the messages and the vandalism that occurred. In a video posted on social media, Karla Hernandez-Mats (D) is now calling for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) to condemn the incident.
"I stood with religious and political leaders at the @DPJCC to condemn the racist and antisemitic messages smeared in my hometown, @CityofWeston. Together, we can stop the spread of hate online and in public spaces by speaking up and always standing up for love," stated Rep. Wasserman Schultz.
I stood with religious and political leaders at the @DPJCC to condemn the racist and antisemitic messages smeared in my hometown, @CityofWeston.
Together, we can stop the spread of hate online and in public spaces by speaking up and always standing up for love. pic.twitter.com/dSELXG14lt
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) October 31, 2022
Taking to social media, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony provided a statement, warning that a thorough investigation will find the culprits responsible for the antisemitic and racist messages that were graffitied.
“Antisemitic and racist intimidation will not be tolerated in our community,” Tony said, adding that “such acts constitute a hate crime and are a reminder of a dark period in history when both Blacks and Jews were viciously assaulted and murdered without just cause.”
“Antisemitic and racist intimidation will not be tolerated in our community.” pic.twitter.com/ThPXX4a0aL
— Sheriff Gregory Tony (@bsosherifftony) October 31, 2022
Hernandez-Mats, President of the United Teachers of Made and the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor of Florida, also took to social media to share a video about the incident. In the video, Hernandez-Mats called out Governor DeSantis, calling him complicit in the racist incident because DeSantis has chosen “to remain silent” on the matter.
Antisemitism is on the rise in Florida and our Governor chooses to remain silent.
My husband fled antisemitism in the Soviet Union. I am appalled and disgusted watching the recent antisemitic incidents here in Florida. It must be stopped. pic.twitter.com/aVRXZxMlST
— Karla Hernández (@KarlaforFlorida) October 31, 2022
“Antisemitism is on the rise in Florida and our Governor chooses to remain silent,” Hernandez-Mats says in the video, further commenting that her “husband fled antisemitism in the Soviet Union.”
“I am appalled and disgusted watching the recent antisemitic incidents here in Florida,” she warned, saying that it must be stopped. For Hernandez-Mats, the right response is for DeSantis to condemn groups such as the Proud Boys and Nazis, who have shows support for Governor DeSantis in the past.
Hernandez-Mats calls on DeSantis to denounce the incident, saying that Florida needs him “to put politics aside and condemn these extreme hate groups and tell them there’s no place for their hatred in a free Florida.”
