State Representative Randy Fine (Republican-Melbourne Beach) up till now been silent on the George Floyd murder on May 25th that sparked protests all around the world. He took to Facebook today referencing several scheduled peaceful protests around Brevard County, but instead of advocating for people expressing their first amendment rights, he used them to advocate for fire works celebrations. Most local municipalities have cancelled their events out of precaution to protect the public or because of lack of funds from the economic impact.
Many local elected officials and leaders of law enforcement have participated in the protests and vigils on the killing of George Floyd, standing in unity with the community. In contrast, volunteers from Fine’s campaign team were seen in their own Facebook live video trying to infiltrate and provoke a peaceful protest of prayer in West Melbourne. In the video, volunteer Karen Colby can be heard talking to Randy Fine who was watching the nearly 8 minute video and saying “please don’t let them know I’m watching.” They went on to call the protestors “idiots” and other defamatory terms. Colby is under investigation by law enforcement for some of her comments on social media related to the protests. Others have already been arrested for similar comments.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Fine has been very vocal and critical of local elected officials’ handling of the issue. He attacked County Commissioners who tried to leave hotels opened for local victims of domestic violence, and also for not closing the beaches fast enough. He even went as far as to tell his followers that if they saw an out of state license plate on the road, to call the police and report them.