Two GOP lawmakers plan ‘protest against communism’
LOS ANGELES >> After three Southern California venues canceled Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s America First rally amid significant public outcry, the lawmakers said Saturday they planned to host a protest in Riverside instead.
In a video posted to Twitter Saturday afternoon, Gaetz called on all California “patriots” to join him and Greene outside Riverside City Hall at 5 p.m. for a “peaceful protest against communism.”
“These folks, they tried to cancel our venues, but they can never cancel our patriotism or our American spirit,” Gaetz said in a video filmed outside Riverside City Hall. “They’ll hear us all throughout Southern California.”
The abrupt change occurred hours after the Anaheim Event Center backed out of allowing the lawmakers to use the venue, a decision made after city officials shared concerns about other events limiting police resources for the rally.
“It was the lack of advance notice for an event that would attract the attention this one would that raised issues for our city,” said Mike Lyster, Anaheim city spokesman.
The last-minute cancellation was the latest in a series of hiccups for the controversial GOP lawmakers in their attempts to get a fundraising event off the ground in Southern California. Gaetz and Greene have been co-hosting America First rallies across the country since early May.
Tickets to Saturday’s event were free for general admission. However, those who registered were given the option to upgrade to VIP status for $250 per person, funds that were expected to go to the Put America First Joint Fundraising Committee to support Greene’s and Gaetz’s reelection campaigns.
Greene, a Georgia congresswoman, and Gaetz, who represents west Florida, were among former President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies. The lawmakers’ remarks over COVID-19 safety measures and the false theory that the 2020 election was stolen have raised eyebrows among Democrats and Republicans alike.
Gaetz is also under investigation for allegations of sex trafficking and having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing.
Information began circulating last week about an America First rally at Pacific Hills Banquet & Event Center in Laguna Hills planned for Saturday. The venue’s general manager told the Orange County Register it opted to cancel it after learning Gaetz and Greene would be speaking.
By Thursday, the rally had been moved to the Riverside Convention Center. Many Riverside residents condemned the event and several organizations planned to protest, prompting concern from city officials.
By late Friday, that venue was out as well.