DeSantis hecklers silenced by Black councilwoman’s powerful rebuke.
Ju’Coby Pittman Stands Up to Hecklers at Prayer Vigil for Shooting Victims
Ju’Coby Pittman, a Democratic member of the Jacksonville, Florida, City Council, showed remarkable courage and leadership when she intervened to stop hecklers from booing GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a prayer vigil on Sunday. The vigil was held to honor the three victims of a racially motivated shooting that occurred the previous day.
The shooting, carried out by 21-year-old Ryan Christopher Palmeter, claimed the lives of Angela Michelle Carr, 52, Anolt Joseph Laguerre Jr., 19, and Jerrald Gallion, 29, at a Dollar General store in Pittman’s district. Palmeter, who took his own life when officers arrived at the scene, had left behind racist writings and had painted swastikas on his AR-15-style rifle.
Prior to the shooting, Palmeter had visited the campus of Edward Waters University, a historically black institution, where he was confronted by campus security. The incident was reported by a vigilant student who noticed Palmeter’s suspicious behavior.
During the prayer vigil, Gov. DeSantis announced that the state of Florida would provide $1 million to enhance the security of Edward Waters University. However, as soon as he took the microphone, hecklers in the crowd began to disrupt his speech.
“Hold on,” Pittman stepped forward, addressing the governor. “We’re fixin’ to put parties aside because it ain’t about parties today. A bullet doesn’t know a party. So don’t get me started.”
“Now if the governor wanted to come here and he’s bringing gifts to my community, y’all know I’m taking the gifts, because we’ve been through enough already,” Pittman continued.
“Y’all be quiet for just a minute and let the governor say what he’s going to say, and we’re going to get this party started. You hear me?” she firmly stated.
Pittman’s powerful words resonated with the crowd, and they fell silent, allowing Gov. DeSantis to continue his speech. He expressed his outrage at the shooting and pledged to hold the perpetrator accountable.
DeSantis, who is currently second to former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential primary race, emphasized his commitment to protecting historically black colleges and universities from such acts of violence.
It is commendable to see leaders like Ju’Coby Pittman stepping up to unite communities in times of tragedy and to ensure that justice is served. Their actions remind us that we must stand together against hate and discrimination.
Source: The Western Journal
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