A.G. Gancarski
Ron DeSantis’ Never Back Down super PAC shut journalists out of a recent rally in the Hawkeye State, and the Iowa Association of Black Journalists (IABJ) is not happy.
IABJ President Ty Rushing was blocked from a rally in Harlan, along with Kyle Kaminski, despite having press badges indicating they were part of the media. The group issued a statement saying they were “incensed” by the treatment.
“Despite completing the credential process with the DeSantis campaign for this event, Mr. Rushing was stonewalled from the facility by law enforcement without a proper explanation for why he could not enter the building,” the IABJ asserted.
The exclusion strikes the group as a violation of the First Amendment and the principles of freedom of the press and speech itself.
“Voters in Iowa and across the country deserve to hear what potential leaders have to say about us before we cast our votes,” the organization continued. “It is our duty as reporters to be the eyes and ears in spaces where those views are discussed. The First Amendment exists to give Americans the freedom to hear the unfiltered truth, and Mr. Rushing’s treatment in Harlan is the opposite of freedom and liberty.”
Rushing had covered a number of DeSantis events in person, and written about a few, including the Governor’s first stump speech in the state, the “slavery scandal” and his position on a six-week abortion ban.
He told Florida Politics he had “absolutely no explanation” why he was blocked from Harlan Friday, despite being from a “left-leaning outlet.” He has covered DeSantis since the incident, including the weekend’s events at the Iowa State Fair.
“Mr. Rushing’s treatment struck a nerve with journalists because we know freedom is fragile. We all suffer when public figures are not held accountable for their words and actions, especially when public law enforcement is seemingly used for private intimidation. We stand behind Mr. Rushing and all journalists who will never back down in the pursuit of truth and transparency,” the IABJ added, using phrasing that seems deliberate in light of the PAC’s name.
The super PAC claims Rushing and Kaminski didn’t register as media.
“These individuals registered as attendees and not press and did not identify themselves as such. Press are encouraged and welcome to attend all open press Never Back Down events but must follow appropriate protocols to ensure equal access to all reporters and safety for the principals,” the PAC said Friday afternoon.
Rushing was wearing a press badge at the time, seemingly invalidating the claim.
23 comments
Martucci
August 14, 2023 at 9:36 am
Not a day goes by without some specific group becoming “incensed”.
WhatNow
August 14, 2023 at 9:46 am
-Just goes to show you how much and how often DeSantis provides *everyone* with stuff to be “incensed” about.
JenniferChris
August 14, 2023 at 1:13 pm
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Ron DeSantard
August 14, 2023 at 9:54 am
Like the time all the rednecks cancelled Bud Light because they were butthurt about a marketing campaign.
Ocean Joe
August 14, 2023 at 10:55 am
Martucci, go move your boat, son.
Silly Wabbit
August 14, 2023 at 12:12 pm
You kwazy.
WhatNow
August 14, 2023 at 9:45 am
“Voters in Iowa and across the country deserve to hear what potential leaders have to say…” – Well, I guess that pretty much excludes DeSantis…
Michael K
August 14, 2023 at 10:05 am
DeSantis and Black people have a complicated history that is subject to revision.
My Take
August 14, 2023 at 10:27 am
Thuggery is a basic part of fascism.
Dr. Franklin Waters
August 14, 2023 at 10:46 am
Ron DeSantis literally hates black people and has no shame about it. This shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Earl Pitts "A True Man of The People" American
August 14, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Shut your lying mouth you predjudcied white boy Dr. “Testical remover” Frankenstein. You dont even know any Black people.
Even your fictional “Black Friend” from 5th grade was made up by you. Totally Discredited by Earl Pitts American.
You are welcome America,
EPA
Earl Pitts is a Pedophile
August 14, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Hang yourself, Earl.
PeterH
August 14, 2023 at 11:04 am
Is anyone surprised?
Dont Say FLA
August 14, 2023 at 11:47 am
The DeSantis campaign would like everyone to know these two reporters may have learned valuables skills during this incident which they might later parlay into success in their lives.
Sincerely- Gaycakes, Rhonda and CaCa CacCa Jill
The LEOs
August 14, 2023 at 11:53 am
Will Gov Reynolds be doing anything about her out of control pigs inhumanely treating humans?
Or were these Florida LEOs, racially discriminating out of their jurisdiction, up in “the North” as Rhonda calls it.
Bob Zuruncle
August 14, 2023 at 12:42 pm
If black people really acted like Ron DeSantis and the Republicans claim they do, Ron DeSantis and the Republicans would all be dead. Same goes for all of that Q-Anon crap, if those people were really doing that, and you were exposing them, you’d be dead.
Tommy Tuberveal
August 14, 2023 at 12:50 pm
I asked Ron to keep “those people” out of the event because I received information they planned to ask you what I am really up to by holding up all the military confirmations in the name “pro-life.”
These guys had figured out that I’m trying to work a con such that ultimately the President appoints militarys leaders and the President handles promotions. I want this power to be taken away from Congress and given to the Executive, so I am refusing to do any promotions and refusing to approve any appointments in the hopes that the Democrats will far for it and go along with Republicans suggesting Congress get out of this business of approving military leadership.
And why do I want to do that? Well obviously, so the next GOP President (Trump, of course) can put his own guys in charge of the entire military. Congress will have no say in the matter. Coup Number Two will work. That’s why. DUhhhhhh.
Garbage Hauler
August 16, 2023 at 8:52 am
You spoke a lot of words, and have actually said nothing. You really don’t know what’s going on.
Revenge of the Woke
August 14, 2023 at 3:14 pm
What other action would you expect from Governor Deefascist who fostered the teaching that slavery benefitted the enslaved?
Kenlgallaher
August 14, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Duhsadist has become a sick joke.
MH/Duuuval
August 14, 2023 at 7:50 pm
True, but he is keeping Trump’s blood pressure high.
Iowa Journalists
August 15, 2023 at 3:55 pm
Curious how other Iowa journalists are responding. If I were them, I’d claim this opportunity like there’s no tomorrow.
All Iowa journalists should take a stance against the Rhonda Campaign “black” listing two fellow Iowa journalists, and refuse to cover Rhonda anymore.
Who wouldn’t jump at that? Not having to listen to Rhonda anymore? It’s such a gift from Rhonda. Iowa’s journalists would be fools not to take it.
Dan
August 15, 2023 at 7:38 pm
Little Hitler strikes again
Comments are closed.