California Venues Abruptly Cancel Reps. Greene and Gaetz ‘America First’ Rally

Congressional Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) are considering legal action after three different venues canceled their “America First” rally on Saturday. The Republican representatives spoke to a crowd of a few hundred at an impromptu peaceful protest outside Riverside City Hall, Saturday evening.

The crowd gathered in front of a wall engraved with a quote from Benjamin Franklin, “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.”

Gaetz pointed out the hypocrisy coming from members of Riverside City Council who published statements supporting the suppression of speech by elected members of the United States Congress.

“Here we are in a city that has a quote from Ben Franklin supporting free speech on the side of their building and you know what, they are afraid of you, and afraid of us because they are afraid of the truth.”

Riverside City Councilman Ronaldo Fierro posted a statement on social media Friday objecting to the Republican congress members holding an event at the Riverside Convention Center. The Convention Center is owned by the City of Riverside but is operated by Raincross Hospitality Corporation which contracts with the City.

“The hateful and racist rhetoric that will be perpetrated at this event by these two well-known extremists has no place in our City,” wrote Fierro.

The “America First” rally was originally set for the Pacific Hills Banquet & Event Center in Laguna Hills. That venue was canceled according to General Manager Javad Mirtavoosi because they “just wanted to stay off it.”

Gaetz and Greene then secured a location at the Riverside Convention Center, before it was canceled – the third and final venue canceling the rally was in the city of Anaheim.

“Here is what happened to us,” said Greene. “The communist left targeted every venue and business that we wanted to rent, to pay money for, to talk about freedom in America.  The city of Anaheim, actually put out a statement today that America First is a threat. What kind of city considers policies that puts America first a threat?”

Greene and Gaetz spoke for less than fifteen minutes. They told the California Globe legal action is being looked at.

“They may try to shut down our venues, but we will take this fight to them in the courts, in the halls of Congress and if necessary, in the streets,” said Gaetz. The crowd cheered and chanted USA, USA.

Marc Ang, a small business owner and non profit leader in Orange County supports Greene and Gaetz on bills and issues they are trying to pass through congress. “The hyperbole attacking these two people needs to end. They are good people. I am so glad they took a stand in the bluest of states California, to share their message.”

Ang said about the attacks on Greene being racist and a white supremacist,  “Marjorie supports everyone, all workers, she supports Asian business owners like myself.

Jesse Suave who was born in Mexico and is now an American is angry Riverside canceled the event at the Convention Center. “Welcome to communism,” he said. “We should be allowed to speak wherever we want. Councilman Fierro needs to be recalled and we should protest him at the next city council meeting.”

James Pere, wearing his cowboy hat, boots, and a t-shirt with the words “We the people, 1776”  traveled over an hour from San Diego to Riverside to show support for Gaetz and Greene. “Anybody that is trying to cancel free speech or peaceful gatherings, whether it is on the right or the left, I disagree with that a hundred percent.”

Residents of Riverside residents to took social media blasting the city for their actions.

Perry Chastain wrote on the City of Riverside’s Facebook page, “Elected officials don’t have the right to stop free speech.”

Kassandra Gehrke wrote, “So Riverside is anti-America First? Bring this rally and those amazing speakers over to Norco!”

“So you’re only allowed huh, only your freedom of speech is allowed,” Remisa Rico Tinoco wrote on Fierro’s Facebook page.

“Who are you to tell me what I can hear or say,” said Don Barnes to Fierro.

Greene told the crowd that next week they will be back in Washington D.C fighting for them: “We are here to give you courage, because courage is what it is going to take to stop the communism agenda in America. I want you to be strong and courageous and have faith in God above. God will lead the way.”

“Don’t let yourself be canceled, don’t let your business be canceled, don’t let your children be canceled, don’t let them force your kids to wear a mask or take a vaccine. It’s your body your choice. Don’t lose hope. Keep the faith, keep the courage, and put America first,” said Greene.

After the event in Riverside, Greene and Gaetz traveled to Huntington Beach to meet with VIP donors at a private gathering on a beach during sunset. Greene posted a video of the large turnout on her Instagram page with people in the crowd waving the American flag and chanting, “freedom”.

Gaetz said, “This is the energy and enthusiasm we have to carry all throughout this great country. This is proof that in politics you win when you show up.”

Gaetz and Greene plan to come back to California and hold the American First Rally in the near future.

Photo from Greene’s Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/p/CRdBTZ5H3xJ/?utm_medium=copy_link