Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show
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Screenshots of a video showing police speaking with Raquel Pacheco over her Facebook post. Video: Courtesy of Raquel Pacheco
One day before police confronted a Miami Beach resident about her Facebook comment criticizing Mayor Steven Meiner, the mayor reported the social media post to the city's police chief, newly released emails show.
Why it matters: The Jan. 12 incident raised First Amendment concerns — and questions about Meiner's role in prompting the police response.
- The resident, former political candidate Raquel Pacheco, said she felt targeted by Meiner for her prior criticisms of his leadership.
Catch up quick: Pacheco's Jan. 7 Facebook comment said in part that Meiner, who is Jewish and a supporter of Israel, "consistently calls for the death of all Palestinians."
- She has said her comment referred to his support of Israel in the Gaza war.
- The Miami Beach Police Department has said it sent two detectives to Pacheco's home "to ensure there was no immediate threat" to Meiner or the community.
The intrigue: The Miami Herald previously reported that Meiner's office had flagged the post to police, but it wasn't clear whether he was personally involved.
- Police Chief Wayne Jones previously said Meiner did not direct him to take any action.
The latest: Newly released emails obtained by Axios through a public records request show that on Jan. 11, Meiner sent a screenshot of the Facebook comment to Jones with the subject line "Dangerous Escalation."
- "As we discussed, please see the post below," Meiner wrote.
Jones, who serves at the pleasure of the mayor and the City Commission, responded that he was concerned for Meiner's safety.
- "While [Pacheco] didn't issue a direct threat, her allegations are undeniably provocative and have the potential to incite others," Jones wrote.
- "You have taken a strong and public stance in support of Israel. Some people clearly, as in this case, take issue with your unwavering position and I am concern[ed] that their words escalate to physical action."
- The Miami Herald first reported on the email exchange.
What they're saying: Meiner did not respond to a request for comment, but he previously called the incident a "police matter" and said critics have a right to disagree with his views on Israel.
- Pacheco issued a statement to Axios calling for a "full investigation" of the incident.
- "This only confirms what we already knew, which is that this visit was initiated in response to a directive from the Mayor," she said.