OVIEDO, Fla. — Protesters converged on the Oviedo Cultural Center Thursday night as embattled Florida Congressman Cory Mills held his second town hall in as many nights.
Members of his staff said the meetings were an opportunity for Mills to talk to the community about what matters to them. Protesters both inside and outside the venue, though, made their opinions of the congressman very clear.
What You Need To Know
Florida Congressman Cory Mills held a town hall in Oviedo Thursday.
His staff said that the town hall was an opportunity to talk to the community about what matters to them
Mills was met by dozens of protesters in Oviedo who were opposed to his policies and views, and unhappy with allegations of misconduct that he is facing
Mills said after the meeting that civil discourse is great for democracy, but asked the public to keep the conversations civil
News cameras and audio recordings were not allowed inside the venue as Mills answered multiple questions, ranging from his thoughts on ICE, due process and a House Committee on Ethics probe that is looking into, among other things, allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign spending violations.
A Columbia County judge issued a protection order against Mills in October after Lindsey Langston, the reigning Miss United States and Mills’ ex-girlfriend, filed for a restraining order against him, claiming he threatened to release personal nude photos and videos after their relationship ended.
While recordings of the meeting were not allowed, Spectrum News was allowed inside to listen, and as the discussion progressed, it devolved at times into a screaming match between the crowd and Mills as he attempted to answer questions.
Oviedo resident Michelle Andrade said she was kicked out of the meeting after going back and forth with Mills.
“I said to his face that all he does is support billionaires and you support racist policies, in which in return makes you a racist,” she said of the encounter. “And he smiled at me and said ‘Ice, Ice Baby’ and then said please remove her from the town hall. And they brought the police and removed me because I’m would not sit down and be quiet anymore. I’m done being quiet.”
Outside the town hall, more than 50 people gathered with signs protesting ICE, immigration and Mills himself.
Seminole County Democratic Party events chair Erin Kutner said the protesters want to make sure that Mills and people around the country are paying attention.
“We want to empower everyone right now — that’s really what we want to do,” Kutner said. “We want everyone to see that what’s happening in Minnesota. If we stand up and say that we’re done, if all of us do, then they’re done.”
Following the town hall, the Mills told Spectrum News that despite the pushback from protesters, he wanted to give members of the community the opportunity to speak to him personally.
“We don’t try to turn people away,” he said. “You’re Democrat, you’re Republican, you’re Independent, you vote for me or you don’t vote for me, that doesn’t matter,” Mills said. “Your voice still needs to be heard equally. Whether I agree or disagree, civil discourse is great for democracy.”
Mills said he would like to see the conversations remain civil, though, as he continues his push to relay his thoughts and plans for the community.