A Republican lawmaker in Florida has stirred up a firestorm on social media after calling for a teen who’s been charged with murder to be elected to Congress.
Saturday, Rep. Anthony Sabatini tweeted “KYLE RITTENHOUSE FOR CONGRESS” just a day after Rittenhouse, 17, was granted bail, The Independent [1] reports. Rittenhouse has been charged with allegedly killing two people and paralyzing another person during a protest against police violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin last August.
KYLE RITTENHOUSE FOR CONGRESS
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) November 21, 2020 [2]
Rittenhouse was released Friday after posting a $2 million bond, thanks to donations [3] from actor Ricky Schroder and “My Pillow” [4] CEO Mike Lindell. He is due to return to court for a preliminary hearing next month.
With Donald Trump as president, the far-right has grown like a cancer and some of these people view Rittenhouse as a hero. Many expressed opposition to the protests against police violence and support the teenager’s claims that he traveled from his home in Illinois to Kenosha to help protect local businesses.
And Sabatini, who caused controversy in 2019 after it was discovered he wore blackface, isn’t beyond threatening protesters with gun violence, which he did earlier this year. Understandably, calls are growing for Sabatini to step down.
“It is time for Anthony Sabatini to resign,” said Jessica Harrington, a Florida-based gun control activist. “Let’s send a message to him and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives that black-faced white supremacists threaten violence and applaud killers have NOTHING to do with being elected officials.”
It’s time for Anthony Sabatini to resign. Let’s send a message to him and the Speaker of the FL House that White Supremacists wearing blackface, threatening violence, and applauding murderers have NO business being an elected official. Sign the petition:https://t.co/rgLEwVZmhv [5] pic.twitter.com/Qyix1WJbBL [6]
— Jessica Harrington (@JHforFL) November 22, 2020 [7]
Harrington also couldn’t resist tweeting this:
Last week, Florida Speaker of the House @ChrisSprowls [8] talked about the “Quality” of GOP candidates that got elected.
LOL. pic.twitter.com/FkmHfWra26 [9]
— Jessica Harrington (@JHforFL) November 23, 2020 [10]
But Harrington isn’t the only person outraged by Sabatini’s ridiculous tweet in support of Rittenhouse. Some notable people are also expressing their disgust, including Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. She found his tweet to be “inhumane” and “dangerous.”
So inhumane.
So dangerous.
So irresponsible.
So racist. pic.twitter.com/dmh4jpBLyO [11]— Be A King (@BerniceKing) November 22, 2020 [12]
Rosa Brooks, formerly an official with the Obama administration noted that “apart from the many other reasons this is crazy,” it’s isn’t even legal for Rittenhouse to do this because the minimum age for becoming a member of Congress is 25.
Just for fun, I’ve included more tweets upbraiding Sabatini for his stupidity. Enjoy!
Well @AnthonySabatini [13] thinks Kyle Rittenhouse should be a congressman so… there's some messed up stuff going on in congress…
— no one (@kinney011) November 23, 2020 [14]
Would he serve before, after or concurrent with his murder conviction?
— Ted St John (@TedStJohn4) November 25, 2020 [15]
So you approve of murder, as long as it's done on "your side" just confirming.
— Shoe fly (@Shoeflyin) November 25, 2020 [16]
Who let this guy be a congressman.
— paige (@paigebraegelman) November 25, 2020 [17]
So much for being pro life. #Hypocrite [18] #GOPBetrayedAmerica [19] #GOPHypocrisy [20]
— Prin (@AmandaKay1983) November 25, 2020 [21]
How do you keep your position, seriously?
— teach0r teach0r 🇺🇸🗽 (@teach0r) November 24, 2020 [22]
This tweet sums things up quite well:
So, 2 people died, 3rd w/lifelong disability got what they deserved? No due process. Suffering, death. What do you know about their lives, loved ones? And the boy? What do you think might be the long term psychological effect of killing people and being praised for it? Go away.
— Peace and Love (@amorespoderoso) November 24, 2020 [23]