A group of Florida Democratic state lawmakers was blocked from entering the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention facility in the Everglades Thursday, despite citing legal authority for an official legislative site visit.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a statement following the incident, saying, “Lawmakers on the ground were just blocked from entering a state-funded detention site because of so-called ‘safety concerns.’ This is a taxpayer-funded facility, run by the State of Florida. Our elected officials have every legal right to walk through those gates.”
Fried added, “What are Ron DeSantis and his administration trying to hide? If it’s unsafe for lawmakers to visit, how is it safe for anyone inside?”
They need to stop doing this type of thing. Maybe it’s time they show up with their own armed security and force their way in. I don’t know. Something.
Democrat leaders showing up and getting arrested or sent away is not a good look. It’s like instilling learned obedience. They need to actually do something instead of showing up knowing they’re going to get punched in the face just so they can highlight how mean the Republicans are. If they are showing up to inspect then they need the legal knowledge and have the power to see it through.
The Republicans backed by legal minds at groups like heritage foundation are leveraging the law. Do these Democrats not have their own legal teams and groups researching how to get things done?
It’s leaving me feeling like this is all theater
They need to find a way to go after the agents. Get arrested and then file suit against them. It’ll get their names in public record too.