Florida mayoral candidate tells group to ‘go back to Africa’ during debate

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Credit: PeopleImages

Credit: PeopleImages

A mayoral candidate for St. Petersburg, Florida, spurred criticism after making a comment to audience members to "go back to Africa" at a debate on Tuesday.

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Paul Congemi allegedly pointed to activist members of the Uhuru movement and their candidate, Jesse Nevel, and said: "My advice to you, if you don't like it here in America, planes leave every hour from Tampa airport. Go back to Africa. Go back to Africa. Go back!" WTVT reported.

The Uhuru movement fights to protect the democratic rights of African people worldwide, with multiple groups fighting for specific rights.

The current mayor of St. Petersburg, Mayor Rick Kriseman, released a statement the next day disapproving of Congemi’s remarks:

"I was reluctant to engage this candidate last night and draw even more attention to his disturbing message. I regret not doing so, though. It is simply unacceptable to spew this kind of bigoted rhetoric. Free speech should not compromise the dignity and respect of any person or community. This candidate spoke hateful words about African-Americans and our LGBT community. He has the right to do so, but nothing about what he said is right. His comments just aren't who we are. -RK"

Congemi responded to the Tampa Bay Times via email, stating, "Yes: I did tell those people to go back to Africa. My remark was meant for the group Mr. Nevel represents. Not all African Americans. Just those that Nevel represents."