Rapper E-40 claims 'racial bias' after being kicked out of NBA game after 'disagreement' with 'white woman' — but security has another story



Hip-hop artist E-40 is citing "racial bias" after he says he was ejected from an NBA playoff game for arguing with another member of the crowd whom he described as a "white woman," as reported by the Daily Wire.

The rapper, whose real name is Earl Tywone Stevens Sr., was seen all over social media speaking with security guards courtside, before eventually being ejected from the first game of the NBA playoffs between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors on April 15, 2023.

As he left the venue, the artist appeared to be shouting and pointing at another member of the audience.

\u201c@HeuristicLineup Same!!!! I got a vid\u201d
— John (@John) 1681613344

In a statement, the rapper said he was subjected to "disrespectful heckling" over the course of the game at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

"I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner. Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings' security approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena," the statement read.

“Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent. Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault,” E-40 continued.

The musician also called for an investigation into the security team's conduct.

\u201cHip-hop artist E-40 says racial bias was the reason behind him being kicked out of Golden 1 Center midway through the fourth quarter of Golden State-Sacramento on Saturday night and he is requesting the Kings to investigate. Full statement:\u201d
— Shams Charania (@Shams Charania) 1681653261

A senior NBA writer for ESPN, Mark Spears, said the following day on Twitter that the venue had repeatedly warned E-40 about standing and blocking the view of other attendees.

"Golden 1 Center security believed E-40 stood excessively thus blocking the view of fans behind him, refused to comply after a warning was given after many complaints and there was an effort by Kings & Warriors security to escort him out without further distraction, - NBA sources," the writer said.

"A source close to E-40 says a warning was never given by Golden 1 security for standing excessively," he added minutes later.

\u201cA source close to E-40 says a warning was never given by Golden 1 security for standing excessively.\u201d
— Marc J. Spears (@Marc J. Spears) 1681666728

According to ESPN, the Sacramento Kings announced they are looking into the incident.

"The Sacramento Kings take these claims seriously and are investigating the facts and circumstances regarding the situation, as we do anytime an accusation like this is made," the team said in a statement.

One of the stars of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson, commented in support of the rapper, calling him the team's "biggest supporter for years."

"He's always been respectful. He's always been considerate of those around him. Very weird to see, and I hope it's resolved," the player added.

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Ex-Twitter employees had 'Fauci Fan Club' Slack group, Elon Musk claims



Elon Musk revealed in a tweet on Tuesday evening that former Twitter employees "unironically" ran an internal Slack group titled "Fauci Fan Club" in support of Dr. Anthony Fauci.

In a Twitter thread largely criticizing Fauci for lying about gain-of-function research, Musk replied by posting a link to a Newsweek article titled "Fauci Was 'Untruthful' to Congress About Wuhan Lab Research, New Documents Appear to Show."

The article linked to a September 2021 column that revealed Fauci's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases funded gain-of-function research.

In virology, gain-of-function research involves modifying pathogens to be more infectious, more lethal, or both.

The Twitter thread began on Tuesday with a meme posted by venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, mocking Fauci for being dishonest.

In a series of replies to the meme, Elon Musk tweeted, "Almost no one seems to realize that the head of bioethics at NIH – the person who is supposed to make sure that Fauci behaves ethically – is his wife."

Musk replied to the thread again and linked to a May 2021 article from the National Review titled, "Fauci Argued Benefits of Gain-of-Function Research Outweighed Pandemic Risk in 2012 Paper." Musk argued that gain-of-function research is "just another way of saying 'bioweapon.'"

"Important to note that Fauci authored 2012 paper arguing for gain-of-function research!" he added. "Obama wisely put this on pause, but Fauci restarted it."

Musk replied again to the Twitter thread and revealed, "Despite these glaring issues, Twitter nonetheless had an internal Slack channel unironically called 'Fauci Fan Club.'"

Since becoming Twitter CEO, Musk has made it a priority to release internal documents that reveal the company suppressed accounts sharing viewpoints that did not align with establishment narratives.

The latest Twitter Files installment, posted by David Zweig, exposed "How Twitter rigged the COVID debate" by "censoring info that was true but inconvenient to U.S. govt. policy," "discrediting doctors and other experts who disagreed," and "suppressing ordinary users, including some sharing the CDC's *own data*."
\u201c@pmarca Despite these glaring issues, Twitter nonetheless had an internal Slack channel unironically called \u201cFauci Fan Club\u201d \ud83e\udd2f\u201d
— Marc Andreessen (@Marc Andreessen) 1672208321

Kanye West announces 2024 presidential bid despite netting fewer than 70,000 votes in 2020



Undiscouraged by his abysmal showing in 2020, Kanye West has announced that he is once again running for the highest political office in the land. The 45-year-old rapper, who lost billions of dollars in brand deals over a series of anti-Semitic remarks last month, posted his presidential campaign logo to social media early on Friday.

West's announcement comes just days after allegedly asking former President Donald Trump to be his 2024 running mate.

What are the details?

West, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, appeared on the 2020 presidential ticket as an independent in 12 states. According to Newsweek, West received fewer than 60,000 votes and lacked even the support his then-wife Kim Kardashian.

On Friday, West indicated that he will try again, posting "#YE24" to his recently unlocked Twitter account.

\u201c#YE24\u201d
— ye (@ye) 1669356308

When asked last weekend if he planned on running, West told the X17 YouTube channel, "Yes. It's simple 'cause ain't nobody can tell me, you know, 'you should say this, you shouldn't say that,' you know? It's just we're moving towards the future."

West also indicated that former Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos, present at the time of the initial impromptu confirmation, was "working on the campaign."

Yiannopoulos, a fierce critic of radical Islam and feminism, recently worked as an unpaid intern in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) office.

West reportedly met with Trump on Tuesday and revealed his intentions at the former president's Mar-a-Lago residence.

In an interview posted to his account, West suggested that he "perturbed" Trump by asking him to sign on as his running mate.

"Trump started basically screaming at me at the table, telling me I'm going to lose. Has that ever worked for anyone in history?" said West.

\u201c#YE24\u201d
— ye (@ye) 1669342914

The Insider noted that unlike Trump, who formerly announced his 2024 bid on Nov. 15, West has yet to file the required two-page "Statement of Candidacy" form.

Designer baggage

West has burned multiple bridges and received a great deal of negative attention in recent weeks and months.

The BBC reported that Adidas has recently launched an independent investigation into claims that West had created a "toxic environment" when working with the company.

This investigation was prompted by a Rolling Stone story citing anonymous allegations that West, a sometimes fashion designer, had intimidated workers and engaged in a "very sick pattern of predacious behavior toward women" who worked for him under the partnership.

It wasn't just employees and coworkers who allegedly found themselves in the rapper's crosshairs.

In October, West issued a slew of anti-Semitic remarks, in one instance tweeting that he wanted to go "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE," and that he couldn't be "Anti Semitic because Black people are actually Jew also."

"You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda," wrote West.

West was temporarily suspended from Twitter after his rant.

Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said in response, "Although some have tried, there is no rationale, no explaining away Kanye West’s rants on social media for anything else than what they are: vicious antisemitic statements that pose a clear and present danger to every Jewish person."

West's first tweet after the reversal of his Twitter lockout was "Shalom."

After these comments and a host of others like them, numerous companies and individuals cut business ties with West.

The media agency CAA announced it was no longer representing West. High-profile attorney Brown Rudnick dropped the rapper as a client. Balenciaga, JPMorgan Chase, Gap, Adidas, Foot Locker, and Donda Sports have reportedly disassociated with West.

While losing friends and business, West also ran the risk of potentially losing big in court.

The mother of George Floyd's daughter threatened to filed a $250 million suit against West for suggesting that Floyd "died from a fentanyl overdose and pre-existing conditions, instead of Derek Chauvin's knee on his neck."

West had started last month by agitating leftists with his decision to wear a "White Lives Matter" shirt to a fashion show with conservative pundit Candace Owens.

\u201cKanye West decision to wear a \u201cWhite Lives Matter\u201d shirt is disgusting, dangerous, and irresponsible. Some of y\u2019all will rush to defend him. You should ask yourselves why\u2026\u201d
— Marc Lamont Hill (@Marc Lamont Hill) 1664826260

At the event, the rapper stated, "I am Ye, and everyone here knows that I am the leader."

George Floyd's family threatens to sue Kanye West for $250 million after rapper's comments about Floyd's cause of death, claims Floyd's daughter is 'retraumatized'



The mother of George Floyd's daughter has threatened to file a $250 million lawsuit against Kanye West after the rapper's controversial statements about the cause of Floyd's 2020 death.

What are the details?

Witherspoon Law Group and Dixon & Dixon Law Offices in a Tuesday press release characterized the suit as "forthcoming" and indicate that Roxie Washington — the mother of Floyd's underaged daughter — has retained the firms "to file [a] lawsuit against Ye West, also known as Kanye West ..."

The firms state that West and his business partners and associates are liable for harassment, misappropriation, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress.

TMZ said West has been criticized for claiming on the "Drink Champs" podcast that Floyd "died from a fentanyl overdose and pre-existing conditions, instead of Derek Chauvin's knee on his neck."

TMZ said it obtained a copy of a cease and desist letter to West, which reads in part that "Mr. Floyd’s cause of death is well-settled through evidence presented in courts of law during the criminal and civil trials that were the result of his untimely and horrific death. Nevertheless, you have maliciously made statements that are inaccurate and unfounded, causing damage to Mr. Floyd’s estate and his family."

The law firms added that Floyd's daughter has been "retraumatized" by West's statements, and that West is "creating an unsafe and unhealthy environment for her."

The cease and desist letter also demands that West remove the "Drink Champs" interview and "all similar statements [regarding] George Floyd from every podcast, website, advertisement, and social media site, no matter the platform or medium."

Anything else?

West has been in the news quite a bit over the last few weeks, first drawing outrage on social media after showing up at a fashion show wearing a shirt reading "White Lives Matter." Here's a photo of him with conservative pundit Candace Owens, who's also donning a shirt with the same phrase:

\u201cKanye West decision to wear a \u201cWhite Lives Matter\u201d shirt is disgusting, dangerous, and irresponsible. Some of y\u2019all will rush to defend him. You should ask yourselves why\u2026\u201d
— Marc Lamont Hill (@Marc Lamont Hill) 1664826260

In a subsequent interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson, West called out the media's "godless agenda" and defended his pro-life positions. Days later, West was locked out of his Twitter account after posting a tweet about Jewish people that many viewed as anti-Semitic. Then, after JPMorgan Chase canceled West's bank accounts last week, the rapper and entrepreneur shot back saying, "I feel happy to have crossed the line."

Outrage ensues after Kanye West wears 'White Lives Matter' design at surprise fashion show



Kanye West inspired more outrage on social media after he showed up at a surprise fashion show wearing a design that reads "White Lives Matter."

West, who has changed his name legally to "Ye," was revealing his latest fashion line for his "Yeezy" brand in Paris, France.

“I am Ye, and everyone here knows that I am the leader,” he reportedly said at the event. “You can’t manage me.”

Many people on social media rushed to condemn West for what they took to be an affront to the "Black Lives Matter" movement. The shirt also had a photograph of Pope John Paul II on the front.

"Kanye West decision to wear a 'White Lives Matter' shirt is disgusting, dangerous, and irresponsible. Some of y’all will rush to defend him. You should ask yourselves why…," tweeted BET host Marc Lamont Hill.

\u201cKanye West decision to wear a \u201cWhite Lives Matter\u201d shirt is disgusting, dangerous, and irresponsible. Some of y\u2019all will rush to defend him. You should ask yourselves why\u2026\u201d
— Marc Lamont Hill (@Marc Lamont Hill) 1664826260

"Kanye west making Black models wear ' white lives matter' shirts is a culmination of his anti blackness and his immersion in white supremacy ideologies and methods. Disgusting," replied one detractor.

"You can stop blaming Kanye West's actions on mental illness. He's a grown man with billions of dollars pandering to his audience to sell overpriced shoes," responded another critic.

"What #KanyeWest is doing is not only intellectually dishonest it’s irresponsible and borderline dangerous," tweeted Dr. Wendy Osefo, of "The Real Housewives of the Potomac."

West said in September that he was going to manufacture his own clothing after ending a deal with Gap. He claimed that it would allow him to make his clothing in the U.S. instead of outsourcing to places like China.

"There's a lot of stuff where they have a lot of commitments to China. We wanted to do localized manufacturing which is completely possible with some of the factories that I'm buying here in California," he said to CNBC.

"We can actually bring industry back to America," West added.

Here's more about the newest West controversy:

Kanye West Wears ‘White Lives Matter’ Shirt At Yeezy Fashion Showwww.youtube.com

Amid historic heat wave, Los Angeles TV news anchor tweets that 'power just went out' in newsroom. Oil & Gas Workers Association issues perfect response.



California's historic heat wave pushed temperatures to all-time record highs across the state Tuesday, including in San Jose (109 degrees) and Sacramento (116 degrees), according to the Weather Channel.

A temperature readout at an El Dorado Savings Bank in Sacramento, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The mercury wasn't nearly as high in Los Angeles on Tuesday (93 degrees) after topping out at 101 degrees Sunday. But according to Marc Brown — anchor for WABC-TV news in Los Angeles — the power still went out at the station Tuesday night:

\u201cWell\u2026 the power just went out here at @ABC7.\u201d
— Marc Brown (@Marc Brown) 1662519062

The loss of power likely didn't come as a big surprise. Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom asked state residents to curtail electricity usage Tuesday to ease the strain on power grids:

None
— Bill Juftes (@Bill Juftes) 1662485640

Newsom's video appeal was met with a fair amount of mockery, particularly from commenters who didn't believe the governor was suffering much under the heat compared to others.

In the same way, Brown's tweet about the power going out at KABC-TV attracted some sarcasm — but the comment that got the most attention came from the Oil & Gas Workers Association:

\u201c@abc7marc @ABC7 Get somebody to bring you 5 gallons of wind turbine.\u201d
— Marc Brown (@Marc Brown) 1662519062

"Get somebody to bring you 5 gallons of wind turbine," the Oil & Gas Workers Association quipped back.

Interestingly, days after California's statewide power grid emergency declaration — and facing the potential of rolling blackouts — the state activated four gas-powered emergency generators.

How did folks react?

Other commenters, as you might expect, loved the response from the Oil & Gas Workers Association:

  • "Oh my gosh, @ogwausa, you won at Twitter," one commenter reacted.
  • "This tweet wins," another user declared.
  • "That had to be the best reply," another commenter said. "The media is just as complicit in this disaster perpetuated by the alleged administration[s] in Washington and Sacramento. I wonder if ABC's backup generators are run on windmills and solar panels?"
  • "Basic incompetence," another user wrote. "California has all the resources it needs, they just have to execute smarter. Have [U.S. Rep.] Eric Swalwell [D-Calif.] head over [to] the wind turbine farm, lay down one of his notorious potent vigorous farts, and get those turbines spinning. Problem solved, you’re welcome."
  • "This may be my favorite tweet in the history of Twitter," another commenter announced.
  • "This is my favorite response. Ever," another user said.
  • "I think I just fell a little in love with you!!!" another commenter confessed.

Saudi Arabia unveils concept video for environmentally-friendly 'line city' that some are calling a dystopian nightmare



A Saudi Arabian plan to build an environmentally-friendly "line city" along the coast of the Red Sea was received with horror by critics who likened it to a "dystopian hell."

Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday unveiled conceptual designs for the Neom project, an ambitious $500 billion plan to build a futuristic one-building city in the desert that would stretch over 106 miles and house 9 million people.

Called, "The Line," the plan is to build a single 656 ft. wide building that would act as a vertical city, designed to rise 1,640 ft. above sea level, which is taller than the Empire State Building. The city would have an open interior that is enclosed on both sides by a mirrored wall, which would reflect the surrounding desert and the Red Sea.

Saudi state media released a video showing a CGI-rendering of the proposed city, touting it as a "revolution in civilization" that will "provide a healthier and more sustainable quality of life."

\u201cHis Royal Highness announces designs for #THE_LINE, the city of the future in #NEOM.\n#SPAGOV\u201d
— SPAENG (@SPAENG) 1658771872

"Imagine a traditional city and consolidating its footprint, designing it to protect and enhance nature," the video's narrator says.

A press release for the project claims the city will run on "100% renewable energy" and that high-speed rail systems will enable residents to travel end to end within "20 minutes," without the need for roads, cars, or carbon emissions.

"The designs revealed today for the city's vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities and create a model for nature preservation and enhanced human livability. THE LINE will tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today and will shine a light on alternative ways to live,” bin Salman said in a statement.

“We cannot ignore the livability and environmental crises facing our world’s cities, and NEOM is at the forefront of delivering new and imaginative solutions to address these issues. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality,” he added.

But critics have panned the project, calling the promotional video for the city "dystopian."

"What is this dystopian hell line city," political commentator Ian Miles Cheong tweeted.

\u201cWhat is this dystopian hell line city.\u201d
— Ian Miles Cheong (@Ian Miles Cheong) 1658940336

"This is basically the opening scene of a dystopian sci-fi film, they've just cut it before the birds start crashing into the mirrored-glass facade, the delivery drones start attacking people and the residents of each section organize into warring factions," said Gregg Carlstrom, a Middle East correspondent for The Economist.

\u201cThis is basically the opening scene of a dystopian sci-fi film, they've just cut it before the birds start crashing into the mirrored-glass facade, the delivery drones start attacking people and the residents of each section organize into warring factions\u201d
— Gregg Carlstrom (@Gregg Carlstrom) 1658809774

The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh said, "I’d rather be dead than live in something like this."

\u201cI\u2019d rather be dead than live in something like this \n\n\u201d
— Matt Walsh (@Matt Walsh) 1658940673

Others questioned the project's technological feasibility.

"Scale of this is incredible. Would involve 170,000,000 square metres of mirrored glass. Is that even possible?" asked Marc Owen Jones, an assistant professor of Middle East Studies at Qatar's Hamad bin Khalifa University.

\u201cScale of this is incredible. Would involve 170,000,000 square metres of mirrored glass. Is that even possible ?\u201d
— Marc Owen Jones (@Marc Owen Jones) 1658774803

This proposal for "The Line" is part of a broader Saudi effort to attract tourism to the kingdom and bolster the nation's standing in the international community with respect to climate change, according to CNN.

However, Saudi Arabia has faced criticism for its atrocious human rights record and oppression of persons who hold views critical of the government, including journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated on bin Salman's orders in 2018, according to U.S. intelligence.

The Neom project has also been opposed by human rights activists, who have said that plans to build The Line would force thousands of tribal people in the region to resettle. Alya Alhwaiti, a member of the Huwaitat tribe who had publicly opposed the Neom project, was killed by Saudi security forces, who claimed he had opened fire on them.

Failed 2018 Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum gets indicted, pleads not guilty



Andrew Gillum, the Democratic candidate who lost Florida's 2018 gubernatorial contest to Republican Ron DeSantis, has been indicted and has pleaded not guilty.

"The Indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2019, defendants Gillum and [Sharon Janet] Lettman-Hicks conspired to commit wire fraud, by unlawfully soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose," according to a press release.

"The Indictment further alleges the defendants used third parties to divert a portion of those funds to a company owned by Lettman-Hicks, who then fraudulently provided the funds, disguised as payroll payments, to Gillum for his personal use. Both defendants are charged with 19 counts of wire fraud. Gillum is also charged with making false statements to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation," the release continues.

Gillum and Lettman-Hicks each pleaded not guilty, according to reports.

"Every campaign I've run has been done with integrity. Make no mistake that this case is not legal, it is political. Throughout my career I have always stood up for the people of Florida and have spoken truth to power. There's been a target on my back ever since I was the mayor of Tallahassee. They found nothing then, and I have full confidence that my legal team will prove my innocence now," Gillum said in a statement.

\u201cAndrew Gillum, the once-rising Florida Democratic star who narrowly lost his 2018 gubernatorial race against Ron DeSantis, has told associates that he expects to be indicted in federal court as early as today for alleged fraud tied to his campaign, NBC News has learned.\n\nStory tk\u201d
— Marc Caputo (@Marc Caputo) 1655908140

DeSantis, who narrowly defeated Gillum in 2018, is currently seeking re-election this year during the Sunshine State's gubernatorial contest — the governor, who has become immensely popular on the political right, is widely viewed as a figure who could potentially be a future GOP presidential contender.

According to the New Yorker, former President Donald Trump has said that he is "very close to making a decision" regarding whether to mount another presidential bid. "I don't know if Ron is running, and I don’t ask him," Trump said about DeSantis. "It's his prerogative. I think I would win."

Parkland father calls out 'charlatan' David Hogg for 'absolute revisionist history' on Florida law



Ryan Petty, who lost his daughter Alaina in the 2018 Parkland school massacre, called out David Hogg on Sunday for pushing "absolute revisionist history."

Hogg was part of a group of pro-gun-control students from Stoneman Douglas High School who received national media attention after the tragedy. The students notably launched Never Again MSD and organized March for Our Lives.

What happened?

Taking to social media to advance his pro-gun-control agenda, Hogg claimed he and his fellow students successfully worked with politicians to pass the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

"I understand there are many disagreements about what we should do but the important thing is we all agree we need to do something," Hogg said. "In the week of Parkland we worked with our Republican Legislature and governor and got gun safety past [sic] Congress can do the same."

He added, "The law that we created has been used nearly 6000 times including one time to disarm somebody through a court order who threaten to kill my own mother. These laws work."

\u201cThe law that we created has been used nearly 6000 times including one time to disarm somebody through a court order who threaten to kill my own mother. These laws work.\u201d
— David Hogg \ud83c\udf3b (@David Hogg \ud83c\udf3b) 1653850035

But according to Petty, Hogg only complicated the legislative process that resulted in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act being made law.

"This is absolute revisionist history and quite frankly, BS," Petty responded. "You did nothing but make it more difficult for us to get the MSD bill passed in the Florida Legislature. It's time to sit down, you charlatan."

\u201cThis is absolute revisionist history and quite frankly, BS. You did nothing but make it more difficult for us to get the MSD bill passed in the Florida Legislature. It's time to sit down, you charlatan.\u201d
— Ryan Petty (@Ryan Petty) 1653873352

Petty then pointed to articles that debunked the narrative that the pro-gun-control students organized a national response by themselves with little help. In reality, the students were supported by Democratic politicians, progressive and liberal advocacy organizations, and even Hollywood celebrities like George Clooney.

In fact, "the reason we got anything done was because the legislative focus after Parkland WAS NOT just guns," Petty later added.

Anything else?

NBC News reporter Marc Caputo confirmed what Petty said.

"For two decades, I’ve covered Florida politics and the Legislature —including the MSD bill," Caputo said on Monday.

"I can confirm the GOP-led Legislature was most moved by the urging of the parents," he explained. "The two conservatives, Ryan & @AndrewPollackFL, were the most persuasive & played outsized roles."

\u201cFor two decades, I\u2019ve covered Florida politics and the Legislature \u2014including the MSD bill\n\nI can confirm the GOP-led Legislature was most moved by the urging of the parents\n\nThe two conservatives, Ryan & @AndrewPollackFL, were the most persuasive & played outsized roles\u201d
— Marc Caputo (@Marc Caputo) 1653940822

Florida Democrats stage protest against GOP redistricting plan, then get steamrolled



Florida Democrats disrupted proceedings during a special session of the state legislature Thursday to protest the new congressional redistricting map drawn by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and being considered by the state House. After a few hours, Republicans then canceled debate and passed the bill over loud objections from the minority party.

A group of black lawmakers staged a sit-in and a pray-in protest in the middle of debate on the map, objecting to how it would reduce the number of Democratic members of Congress and halve the number of majority-black districts in Florida.

According to the Miami Herald, at 11:47 a.m. Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon walked onto the House floor wearing a T-shirt that proclaimed, "Stop the Black Attack" and held a sign in protest. She was joined by other members of the Democratic conference, who started to chant as stunned Republican lawmakers exited the chamber. House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R) then ordered the House into recess.

The protesting Democrats read excerpts of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and sang "We Shall Overcome," demanding that the legislature reject the governor's map.

Florida House Democrats, opposed to the GOP-led Legislature\u2019s rubber stamping of Gov DeSantis congressional map that diminishes a Democratic minority-heavy seat\u2014 stop the session with a sit-in & a prayer-in\n\nGOP lawmakers left the floor. @RepDotieJoseph preachespic.twitter.com/0XKH20EBZv
— Marc Caputo (@Marc Caputo) 1650557084

“Our demands are clear. The legislature needs to draw maps,’’ Nixon said. “The Republicans in leadership need to come to the Democratic leadership, and we’re going to draw some constitutional maps. Those are our demands, and we will not be moved.”

Another Democrat, Rep. Dotie Joseph, made a prayer suggesting that Republicans were in league with Satan to divide Floridians.

“Right now, we've lined up all of the works of the Adversary — all of the works of the Adversary — seeking to divide us, seeking to distract us with a culture war," she said. "We refocused us on your two highest and greatest commandments: that we would love you and that we would love each other, and that people would know you by our works and how we treat one another."

Florida lawmakers have battled with DeSantis over plans to redraw the state's 28 congressional districts before the midterm elections in November. The governor vetoed a map passed by both chambers of the legislature before calling a special session to consider his own map, which he insisted removed certain districts that were "racially gerrymandered." DeSantis' map decreases the number of black districts from four to two and eliminates Florida's 5th Congressional District, which is represented by Rep. Al Lawson, a black Democrat.

At a press conference last week, DeSantis defended getting rid of Lawson's district, saying his map is "race-neutral."

"We are not going to have a 200-mile gerrymander that divvies up people based on the color of their skin. That is wrong," DeSantis said. "That is not the way we've governed in the state of Florida, and so that will be that. And obviously, that will be litigated."

Under DeSantis' proposal, there would be 20 Republican-leaning and eight Democratic-leaning congressional districts, according to the New York Times, which would neutralize the Democratic Party's national redistricting advantage and jeopardize their majority in the House of Representatives this November.

Democrats were understandably furious when the Republican-controlled state Senate passed the DeSantis map 24-15 along party lines Wednesday. They accused Republicans of silencing black voices and of violating the constitution.

At 12:55 p.m., Speaker Sprowls called the House back into session, canceled debate on the redistricting map, and held a vote, according to the Herald.

“It is my belief that no members of this chamber should have the opportunity to shut down our process and shut down a job that members of the public and people of Florida have asked us to do,’’ he said, though his voice was drowned out by shouts from the opposition.

Democrats continued to chant "Stop the black attacks" as the House voted 68-38 in favor of DeSantis' map.

Republicans then passed another bill that stripped the Walt Disney World Resort of its special district, removing the ability of the theme park to essentially run its own government on its property.

The bills now head to DeSantis' desk for his signature.