{"id":181274,"date":"2026-03-06T21:29:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/181274\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T21:29:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:29:07","slug":"coral-gables-removes-merrick-house-docent-over-gop-whatsapp-groups-alleged-posts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/181274\/","title":{"rendered":"Coral Gables removes Merrick House docent over GOP WhatsApp group\u2019s alleged posts"},"content":{"rendered":"

CORAL GABLES, Fla. \u2014 Dariel Gonzalez\u2019s alleged racist and violent posts on a Miami-Dade County Republican Party\u2019s WhatsApp group<\/a> cost him his position in Coral Gables. <\/p>\n

Martha Pantin, the director of communications and public affairs for the city of Coral Gables, released a statement on Friday afternoon. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe City of Coral Gables moved swiftly when we became aware of the deeply offensive posts attributed to Mr. Dariel Gonzalez,\u201d Pantin wrote. \u201cThe language that has been reported is heinous and has no place in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gonzalez was a volunteer docent at the Merrick House<\/a>, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places at 907 Coral Way. <\/p>\n

It was the childhood home of the late developer George Merrick, who founded the city<\/a> and the University of Miami<\/a>, and whose advocacy for racist policies prompted more than 6,800 UM students to sign a Change petition<\/a> to remove the Merrick name from a building. <\/p>\n

Gonzalez, previously referred to by the city as a local historian, was such a fan of Merrick that he had done presentations about him for the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables<\/a> at the public library in Coral Gables<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cEffective immediately upon learning of these posts, he was removed from that role and is no longer affiliated with the Merrick House in any capacity,\u201d Pantin wrote. <\/p>\n

Detectives with the Florida International University Police Department were working with local, state, and federal law enforcement to investigate the WhatsApp group\u2019s posts.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoral Gables unequivocally condemns racism, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, and discrimination of any kind,\u201d Pantin wrote. \u201cOur public institutions must reflect the values of respect, dignity, and inclusion that define our city.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIU President Jeanette M. Nu\u00f1ez announced the police investigation on Thursday after the Floridian Press reported \u201cMiami GOP Secretary\u2019s Group Chat Pushes Antisemitism, \u2018Killing [N-word]\u2019<\/a>\u201d on Wednesday about alleged posts from last year, and The Miami Herald<\/a> and New York Times<\/a> followed on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cFIU does not and will not tolerate violence, hate, discrimination, harassment, racism or antisemitism,\u201d Nu\u00f1ez wrote in a statement. \u201cThis is not who we are. This is not what FIU stands for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related story: Miami-Dade County Republican Party\u2019s WhatsApp group under criminal investigation after leak alleges racist violent posts<\/a><\/p>\n

Related social media<\/p>\n

This is disgusting and cannot be tolerated. I\u2019m glad that RPOF is launching an investigation and expect anyone who engaged in this horrible behavior to be held accountable. Racists and antisemites are not welcome in the Republican Party. https:\/\/t.co\/EmPD55aTUt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) March 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/o9ABaV73w8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Republican Party of Miami-Dade County (@MiamiDadeGOP) March 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

How can anyone who participated in these vile, sickening, racist messages still believe they can hold a leadership position in the Miami-Dade Republican Party?<\/p>\n

This kind of hate is repugnant. There must be zero tolerance for it. It must be condemned clearly, forcefully, and\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/FBXyipfS75<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@MaElviraSalazar) March 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This is a developing story. Local 10 News has several requests for comment that had yet to be answered when this story last updated. <\/p>\n

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