Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passionately responded to a critic who blamed his policies for the racially motivated shooting in Jacksonville last month. The exchange took place during a press conference at an Irish pub in Jacksonville, where DeSantis was discussing his commitment to keeping schools and businesses open amid rising COVID-19 cases.
When a member of the audience accused DeSantis of allowing weapons to be easily accessible to immature and hateful individuals, the governor vehemently denied the accusation, stating that he would not accept being accused of criminal activity. The critic, who was black, claimed that DeSantis had allowed people like him to be targeted, to which DeSantis responded with anger, dismissing the claim as nonsense.
DeSantis further condemned the critic by highlighting that the shooter should have been institutionalized before the tragic incident occurred. He emphasized that blaming him for the actions of a disturbed individual was inappropriate. The critic was escorted out of the room while DeSantis continued to defend his record on public safety and assert that his policies had contributed to the reduction of crime.
It remains unclear whether the critic represented a specific organization or media outlet, or if he was simply a private citizen who gained access to the press conference. The heated exchange referred to the August 26 shooting at a Dollar General store, where a white gunman with swastikas on his rifle killed three black individuals. The shooter subsequently died by suicide.
The shooting reignited criticism of DeSantis from the black community in Florida, with the NAACP issuing a travel ban for the state and claiming that the governor’s policies fostered a culture of hostility towards African Americans and people of color. Some black community leaders also criticized DeSantis for not explicitly labeling the shooter as a racist during a vigil for the victims.
DeSantis’s campaign spokesman defended the governor, stating that he had consistently condemned these racially motivated murders and would not tolerate racial hatred or violence in Florida.
Following the press conference, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who is also black, spoke in support of DeSantis, denouncing the critic as “crazy” and declaring that DeSantis is a good man. Ladapo criticized those who attempted to connect DeSantis to the tragedy based on his race.
The purpose of the press conference was to underscore DeSantis’ determination not to reinstate mask mandates or impose additional restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise nationally. Ladapo, the surgeon general, also cautioned against getting the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, citing concerns and stating that there was no need for it. It is worth noting that Ladapo’s previous warnings against COVID-19 vaccines were criticized by federal health agencies as being detrimental to public health.
Overall, the exchange between DeSantis and the critic showcased the contentious atmosphere surrounding the governor’s policies and responses to the Jacksonville shooting. DeSantis, determined in his defense, highlighted his commitment to public safety and his refusal to accept blame for the actions of a mentally disturbed individual.
Source: [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12494245/Ron-DeSantis-Jacksonville-shooting-snaps-critic.html?ito=msngallery)
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