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Miami Beach Police Question Activist Over Facebook Post Criticizing Mayor

Civil-liberties groups say the voluntary police visit chilled protected political speech.

Overview

  • Video recorded on January 12 shows two detectives at Raquel Pacheco’s home asking about her Facebook comment on Mayor Steven Meiner and warning it could incite “something radical.”
  • Police Chief Wayne Jones said he ordered a brief, voluntary conversation to ensure there was no immediate threat and said no elected official directed the action.
  • The ACLU of Florida and FIRE condemned the visit as an overreach that targets lawful political criticism and falls far short of the First Amendment standard for incitement.
  • The Miami Herald reported the mayor’s office had flagged Pacheco’s comment to the police department, a detail not included in the chief’s public defense.
  • No criminal charges have been reported, and the viral clip has intensified scrutiny of Meiner’s record on Israel-related speech, including pressure on a city-backed theater over a documentary.