Jacksonville Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman (D) shut down protesters who booed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) at prayer vigil on Sunday.
At a prayer vigil held near the Dollar General store where a 21-year-old gunman killed three people in what law enforcement called a “racially motivated” attack, DeSantis said he is already taking action to ensure that future attacks do not happen.
As he was speaking, people in the crowd jeered at the governor — and that’s when Pittman stepped in. She took control of the microphone and reminded those booing that not everything is about politics.
“Listen, y’all. Let me tell you: We finna put parties aside because it ain’t about parties today,” she said. “A bullet don’t know a party. So, don’t get me started.”
“If the governor wanted to come here, and he bringing gifts to my community, y’all know I’m taking the gifts, because we’ve been through enough already, and I don’t want to go through no more,” she continued. “Now y’all be quiet just a minute and let the governor say what he gonna say.”
Gov. DeSantis booed at Jacksonville prayer vigil for victims of mass shootingwww.youtube.com
After Pittman quieted the crowd, DeSantis promised funds to increase security at Edward Waters University, a historically black college in Jacksonville where the gunman was first spotted before he opened fire at the Dollar General store.
“We are not going to let people be targeted based on their race,” he said. “We are going to stand up, and we are going to do what we need to do to make sure that evil does not triumph in the state of Florida.”
On Monday, DeSantis made good on that promise. His administration announced “an initial, immediate award of $1 million” to be given to EWU to improve campus security. He also announced $100,000 will be allocated to help victims’ families.
DeSantis, meanwhile, canceled campaign events this week, giving him time to respond properly to this weekend’s tragedy. He is also helping the Sunshine State prepare for an expected hit from Hurricane Idalia, which is currently expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on Wednesday.
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