Jesse Scheckner
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio shared photos Monday of a canvasser who was attacked while supporting his and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ re-election campaigns.
Rubio said the attack took place Sunday evening in Hialeah and that the unidentified man suffered injuries requiring surgery.
Last night one of our canvassers wearing my T-shirt and a Desantis hat was brutally attacked by 4 animals who told him Republicans weren’t allowed in their neighborhood in #Hialeah #Florida
He suffered internal bleeding, a broken jaw & will need facial reconstructive surgery pic.twitter.com/36QpbySg58
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 24, 2022
“Last night one of our canvassers wearing my T-shirt and a DeSantis hat was brutally attacked by 4 animals who told him Republicans weren’t allowed in their neighborhood in #Hialeah #Florida,” Rubio wrote.
“He suffered internal bleeding, a broken jaw & will need facial reconstructive surgery.”
Fernando Villa, a major with the Hialeah Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, confirmed Monday afternoon that an investigation into the incident is underway.
He said the man invoked Marsy’s Law, which among other things protects crime victims’ privacy.
ABC affiliate Local 10 reported late Monday afternoon that Hialeah PD had arrested one man, Javier Lopez, for aggravated battery connected to the attack. The arrest report said one other person was involved, but that person attacked Lopez, not the victim.
The report said Lopez blocked the sidewalk to prevent the canvasser from passing in front of his residence. When the canvasser crossed the street to avoid him, Lopez told him, “You can’t pass by here. This is my neighborhood.” The canvasser responded by telling Lopez he was on public property and could be there if he wanted.
A “verbal dispute” ensued that escalated when Lopez allegedly attacked the canvasser, slamming him to the ground and punching him repeatedly in the face, causing “severe swelling,” bleeding from the mouth and the full closure of the victim’s right eye. At one point, another person intervened by kicking Lopez on the right side of his face. That person fled the scene before police arrived.
Man accused of attacking Rubio staffer, but police account differs from senator’s https://t.co/4bagqonB2u
— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) October 24, 2022
Expressions of sympathy came quickly after Rubio posted the photos online.
“This is horrible,” U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz wrote.
“No matter one’s political party, no one should ever face violence,” added Orlando Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, who wished the victim a quick recovery and warned that such actions “set a scary tone for anyone who is canvassing too.”
Steve Schale, who worked on both of Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns in Florida, said political violence is “never justified. Full stop.”
“Will keep him in my prayers for a swift recovery, and hope the police quickly apprehend whoever committed this crime,” he wrote.
Veteran intelligence officer and political commentator Travis Akers of Jacksonville expressed similar sentiments.
“I don’t know the context or the backstory, but I do know that violence is unacceptable and I strongly condemn the attack on this man. I also wish him a speedy recovery,” he wrote.
“I hope fellow Democrats also join in condemning this attack. As Americans, we must do better.”
Added gun control advocate Fred Guttenberg, “Violence like this is never okay. I hope whoever did this is caught and arrested.”
While Rubio did not name the canvasser, the online group Miami Against Fascism said it has “high confidence” that the man is Christopher Monzon, a former member of the White supremacist League of the South and self-described “Cuban confederate.”
FYI, this isn’t any ordinary canvasser.
This is Christopher Monzon, aka the “Cuban Confederate,” who marched alongside neo-Nazis at Unite the Right in 2017. And he’s deeply active in Miami GOP politics. @MiamiDadeGOP 👋 https://t.co/3dCzeB7Qjt
— Miami Against Fascism 🌴☕️ (@MIAagainstFash) October 24, 2022
The man pictured in Rubio’s photos bears a striking resemblance to images of Monzon on Monzon’s Instagram page, where he lists himself as vice president of the Miami Springs Republican Club.
Miami Springs Republican Club President Vince Mendel told the Miami New Times the victim was indeed Monzon. Mendel said he was beaten by a group of men, including one heavy-set attacker who caused most of Monzon’s more serious injuries.
As of Monday evening, Monzon was receiving treatment at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where one or more New Times reporters tried to speak with him on invitation by the hospital’s media department. Former and current members of the Vice City Proud Boys, a Miami-Dade County chapter of the “Western chauvanist” organization, blocked entry to the room.
Last year, Monzon unsuccessfully ran for the Hialeah City Council, coming in last among six Primary candidates with 3.7% of the vote.
In 2017, he made headlines for his opinions on racial integration and clashing with progressive demonstrators. A Rise News feature on Monzon identifying him as “Chris Cedano” noted that his “openly racist” rhetoric stood in stark contrast with his ethic heritage made him something of a “Cuban Clayton Bigsby” — a reference to the paradoxical Dave Chapelle character.
He told the outlet that desegregation was “forced upon everybody by bayonet” in the 1960s and that Black Americans calling for the toppling of Confederate monuments should instead just be grateful to live in the United States.
“This is the South,” he said. “This is our country, not theirs, and they’re lucky to be here.”
Monzon was arrested for allegedly using his Confederate flag to attack people protesting Confederate street names in Hollywood. He later pleaded no contest to aggravated assault and served probation.
He was also photographed the same year at the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, where a White supremacist drove a Dodge Charger into a crowd of anti-racist protesters, killing one person and injuring 19 others.
In June, he told the New York Times he is on a “path to de-radicalization.” He also told the Daily Dot he regrets using slurs for Black and Jewish people.
The Times noted he still maintains “ties online to some of his League of the South friends” and was among those identified as a potential ally to members of the far-right Proud Boys group joining the Miami-Dade Republican Party.
Rubio held an early voting kickoff rally in Hialeah on Monday morning.
“He spoke to voters about his race against Val Demings and why it is so critical to elect Republicans up and down the ballot this year,” a press note from his campaign said.
Florida Politics reached out to Rubio’s campaign for further comment and details about the attack but received no response by press time.
___
This story is developing and will be updated.
42 comments
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Joey corsin and idiot Elliot Offen made open threats to Repub. many times. FP has not taken them seriously.
Please investigate them as to whereabouts. Dangerous beings, plus predators. Thanks
Joe Corsin
October 24, 2022 at 3:21 pm
No threats were made. Just stated that if you spoke to people at the bar like you speak to people here…the whole bar would beat you. Also kick you across the parking lot like a soccer ball.
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Joe corsin and idiot Elliot offen have threatened murder, and physical violent acts multiple times. It’s documented.
Rubio and DeSantis and FGOP will kick ass on Election Day. When 4 thugs beat 1 person, it’s a savage act.
I have no fear of you or any other piece of manure Dumcrap on FP.
You are pussy degenerate, well known corsin.
Joe Corsin
October 24, 2022 at 5:11 pm
You dream things up. You have victimhood mentality. Nobody feeling sorry for you man go get a better education and a better job. That’s all the advice that Rick Scott has for you.
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Joe corsin and idiot Elliot offen have threatened murder, and physical violent acts multiple times. It’s documented.
Rubio and DeSantis and FGOP will kick ass on Election Day. When 4 thugs beat 1 person, it’s a savage act.
I have no fear of you or any other piece of manure Dumcrap on FP.
You are pussy degenerate, well known corsin.
Joe Corsin
October 24, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Well in that case you should be shot.
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Any time you want to try pussy Joe? Let me know. Sounds like you need an army in a bar on your behalf, just like the pussy you are. You are worthless.
Real man doesn’t need anyone. You wouldn’t know.
Joe Corsin
October 24, 2022 at 5:13 pm
Ten hung brothers will come visit you if you keep on.
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 5:44 pm
Kiss my ass, you pathetic bastard!
You talk a tough game pal,
what’s next ? You going to cry. LMAO
You threaten murder, violence upon all.
You love dishing it out. See , 10 whatever, cause you are a pussy yourself Joey Corsin. You fraud. Kiss my Ass. “Documented” Joey
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 5:44 pm
Kiss my ass, you pathetic bastard!
You talk a tough game pal,
what’s next ? You going to cry. LMAO
You threaten murder, violence upon all.
You love dishing it out. See , 10 whatever, cause you are a pussy yourself Joey Corsin. You fraud. Kiss my Ass. “Documented” Joey
Tom
October 24, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Any time you want to try pussy Joe? Let me know. Sounds like you need an army in a bar on your behalf, just like the pussy you are. You are worthless.
Real man doesn’t need anyone. You wouldn’t know.
Joe Corsin
October 24, 2022 at 5:13 pm
You in deep trouble now. I tried to tell you. Just remember this..
Impeach Biden
October 24, 2022 at 4:18 pm
No threats were made. Guy was beat up simply because he wore a Rubio shirt. One of the reasons we Republicans can’t display support for our candidates because this is what Democrats do. They shout you down, hurl insults at you, and key your cars and toss eggs at your house because you fly. DeSantis or Rubio banner. Hialeah is a dump by the way.
Elliott Offen
October 24, 2022 at 6:30 pm
It happened on E. 60th and 1st street…a red area. I think the idiot was just in a neighborhood where he didn’t belong and got beat up..but later they made it about politics. The idiot that got beat up got an aggravated assault charge on another occasion for political violence.
Deborah Coffey
October 25, 2022 at 2:28 pm
It’s really rich that Republicans are all of a sudden against violence! You won’t stop school shootings. You think January 6th was a walk in the park. A million people dead from Covid and it’s a hoax. We simply can’t put stock in anything Republicans say. Having said that, this perpetrator needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law…as does Donald J. Trump and all his corrupt and seditionist cronies… ASAP. Equal justice for ALL.
Richard Bruce
October 24, 2022 at 2:58 pm
So, if one is in the wrong neighborhood, it’s OK to beat them up?
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 8:52 am
especially if you’re a white supremacist
Hope
October 24, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Sybill and her, his, its band of multiple personalities finally snapped…
Joe Corsin
October 24, 2022 at 3:28 pm
Well if you were spotted in Miami then you would probably be raped. You’d have to shut up for a change if you were there or perhaps a sausage would help to do just that.🌭🍩
Linwood Wright
October 24, 2022 at 3:21 pm
It’s ok to punch Neo-Nazis.
Rubio should have disavowed this punk, but he didn’t.
I now fully beleive that Marco Rubio is a Nazi.
WhiteDaddy
October 24, 2022 at 4:57 pm
It’s even more okay knock out to commies. Nothing is more American than that.
Charlie Crist
October 24, 2022 at 5:15 pm
👆Neo nazi terrorist alert. Notify FBI..
McCarthy
October 24, 2022 at 6:06 pm
#commie alert. FBI tried to save face today. They know whats coming for them. Commies should too. This is America dammit!
Charlie Crist
October 24, 2022 at 6:33 pm
👆Far right propaganda. Hitler and the Nazi Party also made exaggerated claims of communism in society to justify taking over Germany and then you know the rest of the story. Of course that’s not going to happen here because you’ll all be annihilated way before you are allowed to do something like that.
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 8:46 am
fat useless white supremacist boomer?
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 8:45 am
look at the white supremacist republican. a fat Mexican. hahahaha
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 9:09 am
you’ll knock out a commie after you eat your big mac you fat useless MAGA traitor?
JoAnn Leichliter
October 24, 2022 at 3:23 pm
By implication, then, if this was Monzon it was just fine to beat the crap out of him. Right? Nothing to see here. Just move on. I think we’ll be hearing that a lot.
PeterH
October 24, 2022 at 3:38 pm
So neo-nazi petitioners are in the employ of Rubio and DeSantis in a heavily Latino neighborhood…… good to know.
Sara
October 24, 2022 at 4:35 pm
The nazi dude has a birth mark near his mouth, the guy who got beat clearly doesn’t.
Jenny
October 24, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Good point Sara. There’s a similarity, but I don’t think it’s the same guy either. If people think a 4 on 1 beating, due to a difference in opinion is okay, that tells me they are the fascist. Beating another person just because you don’t like his politics is still illegal in America and should be punishable within the law.
Margarita Senorita
October 24, 2022 at 6:59 pm
PROSECUTE!
Ron the Con
October 24, 2022 at 10:38 pm
But when a far right person attacks someone on the left, republican party is silent, the party of hypocrisy
GmM
October 25, 2022 at 6:30 am
And the Inclusive, Equitable and Tolerant Left-Wing Democrats Strike Again.
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 8:47 am
a fat Mexican is a white supremacist? Man you MAGA traitors will accept any trash, aye?
Sarita
October 25, 2022 at 12:48 pm
Communist parasites should be shipped to Cuba.
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 8:49 am
This is MAGA. Low class dead beats who failed in life.
Nobody wants this fat Cuban except for the stupid aka MAGA
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 8:51 am
crying is all they have. A bunch of whining little girls.
BlueHawk
October 25, 2022 at 9:07 am
A fat Cuban is a white supremacist? it’s no wonder you low class dead beats cling to your guns, without them, y’all would end up like this loser.
Scared little girls
Sarita
October 25, 2022 at 9:54 am
Who is the pockmarked, leftist criminal thug who thought the neighborhood belonged to him, and that everybody in the neighborhood was a leftist thug like him? And why aren’t we hearing more about what is being done about the a-h? Has he been arraigned yet? I hope the psychopathic freak is denied bail. Why are a-hs like him allowed to live freely in neighborhoods threatening others? Is some Demonrat protecting this brainless thug?
Sarita
October 25, 2022 at 9:58 am
Further, this is why demonrats are demonrats and will never be anything but demonrats. The entire idea that if one isn’t a demonrat thug, then one is automatically a fascist (when the fact is that it’s demonrats who are the fascists, and not conservatives) makes me vomit. As a former demonrat (the result of college indoctrination), I too believed the ignorant BS of demonrats, but no longer. I don’t even consider demonrats human any longer. I simply consider them oinking swine.
Mike Hunt
November 4, 2022 at 9:47 am
Why hasn’t this been updated? Police said it wasn’t politically motivated.
Comments are closed.