Community Watch Party Canceled Due to Threats
Today was supposed to be an exciting day for our community in rural Glades County, Florida. We had planned a local presidential debate watch party at the Washington Park Community Center. It was going to be a special event, a chance for us to come together and celebrate something historic—Kamala Harris, a woman of color, being this close to becoming the first female president of the United States.
Event Canceled Due to Threats
But instead, our gathering was canceled. A man threatened to cause a “disturbance,” and the community was too afraid of what that could mean. The watch party was called off. It’s heartbreaking, really, because so many of the matriarchs in our community were counting down to this moment. They’ve lived through so much, seen so many changes in our country, and were finally getting to witness something they’d been waiting for—a woman, and a woman of color, standing on that stage, ready to lead.
Matriarchs Silenced by Fear
These women were excited to be part of something bigger, to share that pride and joy together. Instead, they will stay home, silenced by the intimidation of MAGA bullies who make them feel unsafe. It’s tragic that we couldn’t even gather to watch this monumental event without worrying about violence or backlash.
A Night Meant for Celebration
Tonight was supposed to be about celebration, progress, and hope- and in the privacy of our own homes, it will be. But, for right now, for me, it’s just a reminder of how far we still have to go to feel safe in expressing those things.
