Congressman Steve King has been representing Iowa’s 4th District since 2013. Before that, Rep. King was representing Iowa’s 5th District since 2003. Rep. King has regularly made headlines during his 15 years in national politics and usually for outlandish statements that are meant to offend. For example, he proudly claimed in 2016 that no “subgroup,” aka non-white people, have ever contributed to the United States. So, when a bisexual, Cuban-American started to lead a gun reform movement, it really was only a matter of time before he said something.
Congressman Steve King’s re-election campaign shared this meme directly attacking activist and Parkland survivor Emma González.
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Posted by Steve King on Sunday, March 25, 2018
“This is how you look when you claim Cuban heritage yet don’t speak Spanish and ignore the fact that your ancestors fled the island when dictatorship turned Cuban into a prison camp, after removing all weapons from its citizens; hence their right to self defense,” reads the meme.
Let’s go ahead and say that not speaking Spanish has no impact on your Latinidad. You are a Latino, not because of the language you speak, but by the heritage and culture you celebrate. It’s also an interesting development that the same politician who mocks his constituents for speaking Spanish and wants to make English the official language of the U.S. suddenly thinks Latinos should speak Spanish.
The meme has infuriated people who are already tired of the pro-gun narrative trying to silence the teenagers.
CREDIT: Steve King / Facebook
González survived one of the worst school shootings in modern history and is channeling her grief and anger to end the senseless violence.
Rep. King implying that González should speak Spanish to be Cuban is surprising to so many people.
Steve King mocked Emma Gonzalez because she doesn't speak Spanish? But isn't that what people want, for immigrants and their children to become thoroughly American and speak English?
— Eλf Sternberg (@elfsternberg) March 26, 2018
That part of the sentence truly is a mystery.
González’s classmate, David Hogg, called in Sen. Marco Rubio to say something since his family fled from Cuba as well.
Hey @marcorubio @Emma4Change s family fled Cuba to escape totalitarianism and live in freedom just like your family could you please respond to @SteveKingIA
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 26, 2018
Sen. Rubio is facing a lot of pressure from gun reform advocates since the shooting that claimed 17 lives took place in Florida. On the day of the March for Our Lives, Sen. Rubio made it known, via Twitter, that he was not on the protestors’ side but does “commend” their use of the First Amendment.
South Floridians called Rep. King out on trying to say González is Communist for displaying that flag.
It is pure idiocy to refer to a wearing a patch the Cuban flag as “wearing the flag of a communist country.” No one who flys it in South Florida is supporting Castro. And LOTS OF PEOPLE fly the Cuban flag here. It represents the free Cuba that will be.https://t.co/ymBdAOXgO8
— Adam L. Cox (@adamlcox) March 26, 2018
Ask any Cuban-American and they will tell you that they are proud of their Cuban heritage. They don’t support Communism and want a new system of government for Cuba that is democratic. Being proud of your country does not mean that you are adhering to the ideology of that country.
And whomever is running the Facebook page clearly doesn’t get how that works.
CREDIT: Steve King / Facebook
How many people are immigrants or children of immigrants because of political turmoil? To suggest that those people would try to replicate what they fled is offensive and a great example of white privilege since so many people don’t know that struggle.
Some people are encouraging the teenagers to keep going.
When Rep Steve King is attacking you, that's just confirmation you're on the right side of history.
I've never met Emma, or any of the kids responsible for this amazing movement. But I love you all.
You will change the world.
— ZGreatestGeneration (@ATimRonan) March 26, 2018
When you are doing something right, it is bound to make those against it upset. Rep. King’s anger at the leader of the gun reform movement only means she has succeeded in getting his attention.
Iowans are appalled at this display of cyber bullying by a grown man’s political campgain at a teenager.
CREDIT: Steve King / Facebook
Dayum.
His opponents for the Congressional seat are taking full advantage of the meme to boost their own campaigns.
Steve King has sunk to a new low.
We outraised him last quarter 2-to1.
With your help, we can do it again!
The #BlueWave2018 🌊is coming to #IA04https://t.co/MEtJjUrdZ7 https://t.co/RZEDshNwoT— J.D. Scholten (@Scholten4Iowa) March 26, 2018
It’s kind of what you hope for when going against an incumbent, tbh.
And it seems like Hogg is out to get Rep. King to lose his seat.
Also who's running against this guy
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 26, 2018
You might remember that a Congressional candidate in Maine was running unopposed and called González a “skinhead Lesbian.” Well, Hogg got someone to announce a run against him and he eventually dropped out of the race. Can lightning strike twice?
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