Florida GOP attacks Democratic legislators for supporting ‘pro-Hamas’ organization
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Republican Party of Florida called out the Florida Democratic Party for “supporting” the “pro-Hamas” Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The state GOP specifically called out Reps. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, and Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, for participating in a rally at the Florida Capitol in November 2023, as well as several controversial comments from the group’s leaders and attendees of past events.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is founded and funded by terrorists and supported by Florida Democrats, who rallied with them as Israel was denounced.
— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) January 26, 2024
Why would any elected official support them? pic.twitter.com/ycKECWljEe
In a video by the Florida GOP, the organization is depicted as sponsoring a 2014 Miami protest, where demonstrators chant phrases such as “we are Hamas” and “we are Jihad.”
“The Council on American-Islamic Relations is founded and funded by terrorists and supported by Florida Democrats, who rallied with them as Israel was denounced,” the video said.
The council posted a video on social media of Nixon speaking at the November rally and Eskamani standing next to her.
“[…] And I received countless phone calls and emails from my Palestinian brothers and sisters and my Muslim brothers and sisters, starting that they felt ostracized” Nixon said in the video.
“As a Black woman who is constantly gaslit and criticized and disrespected, I had no choice but to do what was right and to file a resolution in support of foreseeing the humanity,” she added.
Nixon’s resolution, which was filed during the legislature’s 2023 special session, called for de-escalation and ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, along with the “protection of constitutional rights” for Floridians by advocating for the “dignity and safety” of all residents.
HB 31-C failed on the House floor by a vote of 2-104. Nixon and Eskamani were the only supportive votes.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power also commented on social media about the representatives and their connection with the organization.
“Why did @AngieNixon and @AnnaForFlorida rally with a group founded and funded by terrorists against Israel?” Power asked.
Eskamani responded to past calls that she is a “terrorist,” referencing a post from Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thompson, to which she said, “we are better than this.”
Nixon responded to the Florida GOP Friday, saying the party shouldn’t be “equating us [with] terrorists.”
Five months ago today a real terrorist, a racist white man, came to Jacksonville and murdered three Black People after being emboldened by anti-Black rhetoric and policies that the Republican Party of FL support. Instead of coming after me and Rep. Eskamani and equating us…
— State Rep. Angie Nixon (@AngieNixon) January 26, 2024
The council says their mission is to defend the civil rights of Florida’s Muslim community and promote a more “just and equitable society for all.”
During Hamas’ attack on Israel in Oct. 7, 2023, the organization said they stood in “solidarity” with Palestinians against the “unjustified” Israeli occupation.
In order to combat what the group calls an “inhumane blockade” that has been established around the Palestinians, the group urges the United States government to “pressure” the Israeli government into respecting the Palestinians “land, property, and rights.”
