Jul 17, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Gaetz and Greene hold protest after 3rd California venue cancels event

Rebecca Falconer

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speak at an America First Rally on May 27, 2021 in Dalton, Georgia. — Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz during a Mayr ally in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Megan Varner/Getty Images

Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) staged a protest outside the City Hall in Riverside, California, Saturday — one of three venues in the state to cancel their fund-raising event this past week.

Driving the news: The conservatives launched a tour across the U.S. last month, but the southern California venues issued the cancelations amid "significant public outcry," per the Los Angeles Times.

Anaheim city spokesperson Mike Lyster cited in a statement after the Anaheim Event Center canceled Saturday's event "public safety concerns" shared by officials and the operator.
"As a city we respect free speech but also have a duty to call out speech that does not reflect our city and its values," he added.
The City of Riverside said in a statement it was aware of the protest and was "taking steps to ensure the safety of everyone involved."

What they're saying: Gaetz said in a video filmed outside Riverside City Hall: "These folks they tried to cancel our venues but they can never cancel our patriotism or our American spirit."

Go deeper: Gaetz reaches for Trump lifeline

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from the City of Riverside and further context on the events.

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Gaetz and Greene hold protest after 3rd California venue cancels event

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