[External] Newsweek Article - Matt Gaetz Hints...

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From: sandra corbitt To: 2Mavor Subject: [External] Newsweek Article - Matt Gaetz Hints at Lawsuit after "America First" Rally Canceled in Riverside, CA Date: Saturday, July 17, 2021 12:11:56 PM Good afternoon. I was extremely shocked when I logged onto the internet to find my local news feed highlighting a Newsweek article titled "Matt Gaetz Hints at Lawsuit After'America First' Rally Canceled in Riverside, California". It is rare to find my hometown of Riverside, CA highlighted in the news and so as a proud Riverside Resident, I was eager to learn what this was about. However, to my utter shock, I learned that Raincross Hospitality, which operates the Riverside Convention Center, had canceled an event that was to take place on Saturday evening. As our economy is struggling to recover from the pandemic and so many residents are craving normalcy, the cancelation of an event, which would bring revenue to our great city, makes me wonder what the reasoning was for canceling at the eleventh hour. I was further dismayed to learn that the mayor's office, specifically the fact that Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, "called the rally 'divisive' and welcomed the decision from the Raincross Hospitality Corp". I am utterly confused why Mayor Lock Dawson would welcome the decision to cancel an event and am unclear how the rally is "divisive". I have been researching what the "America First" rally is about and what message is being put forth that is 'divisive' for our community and have yet to find information on why the event was canceled. If there is a concern that the event will promote an ideology that your office does not agree with, isn't it better to shine a light on why the ideology is not good versus pushing it into the dark. Free speech is one of the greatest freedoms that we have as Americans and when confronted with something we do not agree with, we need to promote discussion not censorship. After all, as Voltaire said "I do not agree with what you have to say but I will defend to the death your right to say it". When did Riverside become a city afraid to shine the light on bad ideas. I would hope if your office was concerned about the ideology of the message of any event, you would not cower to loud voices, but rather celebrate the diversity of ideals and thought our great city has and advocate for the people to listen and make up their own minds. I am hopeful that this office will be able to provide me with more information on the concerns around this event and the reasons for advocating its cancellation. I respectfully request that your office consider being a beacon for CA and show that we in Riverside are not afraid of a difference of ideals or opinions. We respect our fellow residents and encourage people to think for themselves. If we truly want to celebrate inclusion and encourage diversity, then that must extend to diversity of thought and allow people to decide for themselves. Sincerely, Sandra Scalf-Corbitt Two men look out a window. One sees mud, the other sees the stars. - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)