This story is part of the News Collaborative of Central Florida, an initiative of independent local news outlets working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida. It was originally published by WKMG News 6/ClickOrlando.com
NEW SMYRNA BEACH — U.S. Rep. Cory Mills was booed at his town hall Thursday by a crowd angry over his support of ICE operations in Florida and Minnesota, leading him to call one participant “a bumbling moron.”
At least two dozen police officers were posted outside the Brannon Center before the town hall began, as a group of eight women held a banner that read, “Raging Grannies” and a sign that read, “Ice Out.”
Another sign stated, “We Could All Be Pretti Good,” in support of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, the two Minnesotans shot and killed by immigration agents earlier this month.
Mills addressed questions submitted prior to the event, including, “I’m a brown person…what are you going to do to keep all constituents safe, not just the ones who look like you?”
This question immediately got a round of applause.
The question went on to read, “What about arresting members of ICE wrongfully shooting and killing Americans? How are you going to protect your district from ICE?”
Representative Mills said, “I think we need to tone down the dangerous rhetoric.”
Next, he mentioned his son is half Middle Eastern before saying he agrees there is hate in this world.
He addressed a question about why ICE Agents wear masks. He said it’s to protect their identity, keeping them safe.
To that, a guest in the crowd shouted, “When you behave legally, you won’t need a mask.”
A man shouted that “Alex Pretti was executed.” Rep. Mills responded, saying, “Authorities are still reviewing evidence, and so far, evidence seen doesn’t confirm an execution.”
He then got a roaring boo and some words of profanity while he went on to say, “The purpose of ICE is to get rid of violent criminals.”
Mills also responded to the question of whether there are plans to build an ICE Detention Center in his district. He said he’s not heard of any plans.
Mills appeared to get frustrated with some in the crowd and their questions.
He responded to one man saying, “Sir, do you want me to continue to finish, or do you wanna continue to go on like a bumbling moron?”
He was scheduled to host another Town Hall Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Oviedo on the Park Amphitheatre & Cultural Center.