Florida venue cancels Rashida Tlaib rally after state lawmaker protests ‘anti-Jew’ event

A venue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has canceled a rally featuring Democratic US Representative Rashida Tlaib following complaints from a state lawmaker. Michael Gottlieb, a Democratic state representative and chair of the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus, had publicly protested the event, labeling it an “anti-Jew” gathering. The Venue Fort Lauderdale cited “increased security concerns” for its decision, noting that the establishment is Jewish-owned and committed to the Jewish community. The venue clarified that accepting a booking should not be interpreted as an endorsement. The rally was intended to support three candidates in Florida’s upcoming Democratic primary, including those running against prominent pro-Israel Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz, as well as Alexander Vindman. Gottlieb described the coalition as being on the “strongly pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel left.” The Florida Democratic Progressive Caucus alleged that the cancellation was rooted in anti-Muslim sentiment. Organizers reportedly planned to move the event to a different location.