Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., was set to headline a "Chomp the Oligarchy" rally in South Florida supporting three progressive Democratic candidates before The Venue in Fort Lauderdale canceled the event one day before it was scheduled to take place.
The Jewish-owned venue cited "increased security concerns" as its reason for pulling out. The event had been planned for Friday night, just four days before Florida's primary election. Rally organizers moved the event to an outdoor location, where approximately 300 supporters attended.
State Rep. Michael Gottlieb, a Democrat from Florida, publicly called the event "anti-Jew" in a social media post, accusing House candidates Elijah Manley and Oliver Larkin, along with state Rep. Angie Nixon—who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate—of being part of an "Anti-Israel and Anti-Zionism coalition."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of the rally condemned what they called a coordinated campaign to suppress political speech.
Cameron Driggers, a lead organizer for the rally, told The New York Times that The Venue reached out to organizers saying it would only host the event if Tlaib was uninvited. Organizers refused this condition, according to Driggers.
Rally organizers posted on Instagram that they "will not be silenced by racist right-wing agitators and conservative Democrats" and will "keep fighting to deliver for working-class Floridians."
Oliver Larkin addressed the crowd at the relocated event, saying: "What we've seen in the last 36 hours is a mobilization campaign to try to intimidate and harass us with a campaign of Islamophobia. A campaign that seeks to excuse AIPAC's corrupting influence over our elections," which was met with boos from supporters.
Tlaib appeared at the rally as planned and introduced Angie Nixon before her remarks. Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman in Congress, has denied accusations of antisemitism and previously stated her positions represent advocacy for Palestinian human rights.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers praised the venue's decision to cancel the event.
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital: "It's no coincidence" that Tlaib would be appearing at an event supporting candidates seeking to defeat Jewish Democrats in Florida primaries.
Gottlieb, who reached out to The Venue asking it to take down his post criticizing the rally, refused when asked by management. He said Tlaib "has by far the deepest record of antisemitic allegations and is being brought here to help these candidates raise funds for their campaigns."
Tlaib has faced bipartisan criticism for her comments on Israel and Jewish people. Congress censured her in 2023 for her embrace of the slogan "from the river to the sea," which she describes as an "aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence" from Palestinians. Many Jewish organizations view the slogan as a call for the elimination of Israel.
What the Numbers Show
The Venue Fort Lauderdale issued a statement saying: "Due to the increased security concerns as well as the welfare of attendees and staff, the decision was then made that the event would not proceed at our property." The venue noted it is Jewish-owned and operated with "values and commitment to the Jewish community" central to its operations.
The three candidates Tlaib was supporting are running in competitive Democratic primaries against incumbents: Manley faces Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.; Larkin challenges Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.; and Nixon runs against Alexander Vindman, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who testified during President Donald Trump's first impeachment inquiry.
Manley has been endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America. Both Manley and Larkin identify as DSA members.
The Bottom Line
The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party between progressive members critical of Israel and more moderate Democrats, particularly in districts with significant Jewish populations.
Florida's primary election is scheduled for next week. Tlaib's appearance at the relocated rally kept her commitment to supporting the candidates despite the venue controversy.
Fox News Digital reached out to The Venue for additional comment. Representatives for Tlaib did not immediately return requests for comment.