A.G. Gancarski
Prosecution of Jacksonville civil rights activist Ben Frazier may well happen, but it won’t be in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson is appealing to Gov. Ron DeSantis to move the case out of the Northeast Florida circuit via Executive Assignment.
“Our office has a relationship with Mr. Frazier. In his capacity as a community activist, Mr. Frazier has routinely called upon our office to take certain actions related to investigations and other pending criminal cases. At times, Mr. Frazier has acted in the role of advocate, and other times, concerned citizen, and still at other times, adversary. Members of our office and I have both hosted and attended multiple meetings with Mr. Frazier. Indeed, over the last 18 months, our office has been engaged in dialogue with Mr. Frazier – at his invitation – to address various criminal justice issues unique to our community,” the letter to the Governor’s office reads.
Nelson asks that another circuit handle the matter.
This is just the latest turn of events in a story that got national attention when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office walked the mobility-challenged Frazier out of the room in handcuffs after staffers for both the Governor and the Duval County Office of the Florida Department of Health failed to persuade Frazier and those with him to leave.
A man who described himself as a facilities manager told Frazier that the conference was only for “credentialed press” and asked everyone to leave “who is not media.” Those orders fell on deaf ears, with Frazier retorting it was a public event in a public building.
Officers brought Frazier to ground level and put him in the back of a police car while Frazier’s supporters looked on. He was not transported to the Duval County Jail, but he was detained throughout the Governor’s remarks and given the notice to appear in court next week.
When asked about this incident, the Governor was coy, which made national news even before he wrapped his remarks.
“I have no idea what happened,” DeSantis bluffed.
However, the counter-messaging began soon enough as a spokesperson for the Governor compared Frazier and others to the Jan. 6 rioters at the U.S. Capitol.
DeSantis spox Christina Pushaw tweeted about the incident: “It’s almost the anniversary of J6, and Democrats in my replies are insisting that government buildings should always be open to any member of the public who wants to confront an elected official, and nobody should be arrested for trespassing in a government building! Wow!”
14 comments
Concern Citizen
January 7, 2022 at 11:10 am
Christina Pushaw is DeSantis’s Joseph Goebbels. She spews hate, fear, and misinformation.
zhombre
January 7, 2022 at 11:19 am
Bullshit
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January 7, 2022 at 5:40 pm
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Alex
January 7, 2022 at 11:27 am
DeDumbass is prosecuting a protester at a public event.
What was all those lies about the “freest state” DeDumbass?
You’re a Harvard trained attorney and “I have no idea what happened” according to you?
Wow.
Tom
January 7, 2022 at 12:39 pm
You don’t get to decide, show up and disrupt.
WAH, WAH.
What is clear is this kind of effort everywhere to silence people. Not acceptable, Governor must speak without interference. Classic Dem, cheap Fried tactics.
Frankie M.
January 7, 2022 at 4:57 pm
Interesting how DeSantis press flack is way more well versed on the subject than her boss. “I don’t know anything about that” sounds like something Ronnie would accuse sleepy Joe of saying. Next time Ronnie should use the ol Joe Dirt line, “I’m new I don’t know what to do.”
This event was clearly not a press conference but a pep rally for DeSantis pom pom wavers. He should restrict his rallies to charter schools where his captive audience of students who will be coached to clap on cue.
Nelso is weak
January 8, 2022 at 2:05 am
Nelson is weak, she is scared, we need a new prosecutor. She is scare of Uncle Ben. I hope the prosecutor who handles the case sticks it to Uncle Ben. Enough of this loudmouth trouble maker. He needs to understand he cannot constantly try to disrupt meetings. He has done this many times at the Jacksonville city council. Now that he has been arrested, maybe he will be many more times in the future.
Tough on Crime
January 8, 2022 at 3:11 am
Melissa Nelson will be defeated when she runs for reelection because she is scared of Ben Frazier. We need strong prosecutor’s and she is weak and scared.
Ann Onimis
January 8, 2022 at 8:41 am
Ben Frazier for GOVERNOR
Anthony Ray
January 8, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Wow
Embarrassing
January 10, 2022 at 7:08 pm
The two leaders of Jacksonville are Shad “con” Khan and Uncle Ben Frazier. People are scared the death of these two slimeballs. When will people develop some backbones?
clara scotlis-murzynski
January 11, 2022 at 3:10 am
Ben Frazier is a BLM/CRT left wing nut. He was hell bent against Governor DeSantis Riot bill that denies looters/rioters/arsonists/harassers and all around general thugs from turning Florida into another Portland, Seattle or NYC. Let that sink in.
Paul
January 12, 2022 at 10:58 pm
With all the money we throw at the Police in Florida when is our murder rate going to go down?
Pablo
January 12, 2022 at 10:56 pm
“I have no idea what happened,” sounds like DuhSantis all right! At least Nelson knows not to support the governors racist agenda. Kudos to her.
Comments are closed.