Resolution 2025-33933 2025-33933
RESOLUTION NO,
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONDEMNING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN ALL
FORMS; RECOGNIZING ITS DANGEROUS IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY;
REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO FREE SPEECH AND CIVIL
DISCOURSE; AND URGING ELECTED OFFICIALS, CANDIDATES, MEDIA
FIGURES, AND RESIDENTS TO REJECT RHETORIC THAT INCITES
VIOLENCE OR DEHUMANIZES OTHERS.
WHEREAS, political violence — especially when rhetoric escalates into threats,
intimidation, or physical assault — inflicts grave harm not only upon its direct victims and their
families, but also upon the foundations of democracy itself; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right
to free speech, including even the most odious, unpopular, or offensive free speech — that is
precisely what the First Amendment guarantees to us - and no person should ever be harmed or
killed for expressing their views; and
WHEREAS, since the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, the United
States has witnessed an escalating series of violent attacks—many involving firearms—directed
at public officials, candidates, their families, and institutions, as demonstrated by the non-
exhaustive list below; and
WHEREAS, the use of violence as a political tool is inherently dangerous for everyone,
undermines the peaceful resolution of disputes, and erodes public faith in governance and the
very institutions meant to resolve disputes peacefully; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission affirm that political discourse must be
grounded in facts and respectful debate, not in mischaracterizations, conspiracy theories, or the
demonization of opponents; and
WHEREAS, we must insist that political debate be carried out with words, not weapons;
and
WHEREAS, disagreement must never become justification for intimidation, harm, or
death; and elected leaders, media, and citizens all must do their part to tone down dehumanizing
rhetoric; and
WHEREAS, the City unequivocally condemns political violence in all forms; and
WHEREAS, the City reaffirms its commitment to the protection of free speech and the
peaceful resolution of political disagreements; and
WHEREAS, the City calls upon all elected officials, candidates, media figures, and
residents to reject rhetoric that incites violence or dehumanizes others; and
WHEREAS, violent incidents underscore the growing threat and rise of political violence
in the United States, including but not limited to the following instances:
• September 2025 — Charlie Kirk shooting
1 killed
Orem, Utah
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley
University. Kirk was a well-known conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA.
• June 2025 — Minnesota lawmaker shootings
Two killed, two injured
Minneapolis, Minnesota
A gunman targeted several Minnesota election officials. He killed Minnesota House of
Representatives member Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman in their
home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman were shot and injured
in their home.
• April 2025 — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home arson
No injuries
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Governor's Residence was set on fire while Shapiro and his family
slept inside.
• October 2024 — Kamala Harris campaign office in Arizona shot at 3 times
in a month
An office shared by then-Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and the
Democratic Party in Tempe, Arizona, was damaged by gunfire three times in less than a
month, according to police.
• September 2024 — Alleged attempted assassination of Donald Trump
No injuries
West Palm Beach, Florida
A Secret Service agent spotted a man with a rifle near Trump while the then-Presidential
candidate was playing golf at his country club.
• July 2024 — Attempted assassination of Donald Trump
One killed, three injured
Butler, Pennsylvania
Multiple shots were fired at the then-presidential candidate while he was speaking at a
campaign rally. A bullet grazed Trump's ear. Firefighter Corey Comperatore, who
attended the rally, was killed, and two other audience members were injured.
• December 2022 — January 2023 — Shooting spree against New Mexico
officials
No injuries
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A former Republican candidate for the New Mexico State House was found guilty of
organizing a shooting spree that targeted two New Mexico state legislators and two
Bernalillo County commissioners.
2
• October 2022 — Attack on Pelosi household
1 injured
San Francisco, California
A man broke into the residence of former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy
Pelosi and beat her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. Nancy was not in the home at
the time.
• June 2022 — Brett Kavanaugh attempted assassination
No injuries
Chevy Chase, Maryland
A man traveled to the Supreme Court Justice's home with plans to assassinated
Kavanaugh. He called the police on himself and was arrested before anyone was
injured.
• February 2022 — Kentucky mayoral candidate targeted in attempted
shooting
While running for office, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg was the target of an
attempted shooting at his campaign headquarters. No one was injured in the incident.
• July 2020 — U.S. District Judge Esther Salas targeted
One killed, one injured
North Brunswick, New Jersey
Salas's son Daniel Anderl was shot and killed by a self-proclaimed men's rights lawyer
posing as a delivery driver. Her husband Mark Anderl was injured in the attack.
• Early 2020 — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
No injuries
Lansing, Michigan
Law enforcement agencies thwarted a plot to kidnap Whitmer that spanned from early
2020 over that summer.
• June 2017 — Congressional baseball game shooting
Multiple injuries
Alexandria, Virginia
The shooting occurred at a practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball
Game. Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, former congressional staffer Matt Mika,
congressional staffer Zack Barth, Capitol Police special agent Crystal Griner, and
Capitol Police special agent David Bailey were injured in the attack.
• January 2011 — Rep. Gabby Giffords shooting
6 killed, 13 injured
Tucson, Arizona
Giffords was shot in the head but survived. The shooting occurred while Giffords was
meeting with constituents in a supermarket parking lot; and
WHEREAS, the City urges all levels of government to take proactive measures to
safeguard public officials, candidates, and democratic institutions from politically motivated
viofence.
3
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby condemn political violence
in all forms; recognize its dangerous impact on democracy; reaffirm the City's commitment to free
speech and civil discourse; and urge elected officials, candidates, media figures, and residents to
reject rhetoric that incites violence or dehumanizes others.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this �� day of � mDC✓ , 2025.
ATTEST: -
Steven Meiner, Mayor
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Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk _��?s'�4� ���y,,,
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(Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt) ; ,�NCOR+�ORAiED� =
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Co-Sponsored byCommissionerDavid Suarez ''''�ci�,?�-�''
Co-Sponsored by CommissionerAlex J.Femandez
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzatez , APPROVED AS TO
FORM & IANGUAG�
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City Attomey M�r Date
4
Resolutions - C7 AF
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Clerk Rafael E. Granado
DATE: September 17, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONDEMNING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN ALL FORMS;
RECOGNIZING ITS DANGEROUS IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY; REAFFIRMING
THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO FREE SPEECH AND CIVIL DISCOURSE; AND
URGING ELECTED OFFICIALS, CANDIDATES, MEDIA FIGURES, AND
RESIDENTS TO REJECT RHETORIC THAT INCITES VIOLENCE OR
DEHUMANIZES OTHERS.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Tanya K.
Bhatt.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
None.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.qov/city-hall/city-clerk/meetinq-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
Was this Aqenda Item initiallv requested bv a lobbvist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal enqaqed in lobbvinq? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Calming of Political Violence. (Bhatt) CA
Previous Action (For Citv Clerk Use Only)
RESOLUTION NO.
A RES�LUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONDEMNING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN ALL
FORMS; RECOGNIZING ITS DANGEROUS IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY;
REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO FREE SPEECH AND CIVIL
DISCOURSE; AND URGING ELECTED OFFICIALS, CANDIDATES, MEDIA
FIGURES, AND RESIDENTS T� REJECT RHETORIC THAT INCITES
VIOLENCE OR DEHUMANIZES OTHERS.
WHEREAS, political violence — especially when rhetoric escalates into threats,
intimidation, or physical assault — inflicts grave harm not only upon its direct victims and their
families, but also upon the foundations of democracy itself; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right
to free speech, including even the most odious, unpopular, or offensive free speech — that is
precisely what the First Amendment guarantees to us -and no person should ever be harmed or
killed for expressing their views; and
WHEREAS, since the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, the United
States has witnessed an escalating series of violent attacks—many involving firearms—directed
at public officials, candidates, their families, and institutions, as demonstrated by the non-
exhaustive list below; and
WHEREAS, the use of violence as a political tool is inherently dangerous for everyone,
undermines the peaceful resolution of disputes, and erodes public faith in governance and the
very institutions meant to resolve disputes peacefully; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission affirm that political discourse must be
grounded in facts and respectful debate, not in mischaracterizations, conspiracy theories, or the
demonization of opponents; and
WHEREAS, we must insist that political debate be carried out with words, not weapons;
and
WHEREAS, disagreement must never become justification for intimidation, harm, or
death; and elected leaders, media, and citizens all must do their part to tone down dehumanizing
rhetoric; and
WHEREAS, the City unequivocally condemns political violence in all forms; and
WHEREAS, the City reaffirms its commitment to the protection of free speech and the
peaceful resolution of political disagreements; and
WHEREAS, the City calls upon all elected officials, candidates, media figures, and
residents to reject rhetoric that incites violence or dehumanizes others; and
WHEREAS, violent incidents underscore the growing threat and rise of political violence
in the United States, including but not limited to the following instances:
• September 2025 — Charlie Kirk shooting
1 killed
Orem, Utah
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley
University. Kirk was a well-known conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA.
• June 2025 — Minnesota lawmaker shootings
Two killed, two injured
Minneapolis, Minnesota
A gunman targeted several Minnesota election officials. He killed Minnesota House of
Representatives member Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark HoRman in their
home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman were shot and injured
in their home.
• April 2025 — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home arson
No injuries
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Govemor's Residence was set on fire while Shapiro and his family
slept inside.
• October 2024 — Kamala Harris campaign office in Arizona shot at 3 times
in a month
An office shared by then-Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and the
Democratic Party in Tempe, Arizona, was damaged by gunfire three times in less than a
month, according to police.
• September 2024 — Alleged attempted assassination of Donald Trump
No injuries
West Palm Beach, Florida
A Secret Service agent spotted a man with a rifle near Trump while the then-Presidential
candidate was playing golf at his country club.
• July 2024 —Attempted assassination of Donald Trump
One killed, three injured
Butler, Pennsylvania
Multiple shots were fired at the then-presidential candidate while he was speaking at a
campaign rally. A bullet grazed Trump's ear. Firefighter Corey Comperatore, who
attended the rally, was killed, and two other audience members were injured.
• December 2022 — January 2023 — Shooting spree against New Mexico
officials
No injuries
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A former Republican candidate for the New Mexico State House was found guilty of
organizing a shooting spree that targeted two New Mexico state legislators and two
Bernalillo County commissioners.
2
�
• October 2022 — Attack on Pelosi household
1 injured
San Francisco, California
A man broke into the residence of former House af Representatives Speaker Nancy
Pelosi and beat her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. Nancy was not in the home at
the time.
• June 2022 — Brett Kavanaugh attempted assassination
No injuries
Chevy Chase, Maryland
A man traveled to the Supreme Court Justice's home with plans to assassinated
Kavanaugh. He called the police on himself and was arrested betore anyone was
injured.
. February 2022 — Kentucky mayoral candidate targeted in attempted
shooting
While running for office, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg was the target of an
attempted shooting at his campaign headquarters. No one was injured in the incident.
• July 2020 — U.S. District Judge Esther Salas targeted
One killed, one injured
North Brunswick, New Jersey
Salas's son Daniel Anderl was shot and killed by a self-proclaimed men's rights lawyer
posing as a delivery driver. Her husband Mark Anderl was injured in the attack.
• Early 2020 — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
No injuries
Lansing, Michigan
Law enforcement agencies thwarted a plot to kidnap Whitmer that spanned from early
2020 over that sumrner.
• June 2017 — Congressional baseball game shooting
Multiple injuries
Alexandria, Virginia
The shooting occurred at a practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball
Game. Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, former congressional staffer Matt Mika,
congressional staffer Zack Barth, Capitol Police special agent Crystal Griner, and
Capitol Police special agent David Bailey were injured in the attack.
. January 2011 — Rep. Gabby Giffords shooting
6 killed, 13 injured
Tucson, Arizona
Giffords was shot in the head but survived. The shooting occurred while Giffords was
meeting with constituents in a supermarket parking lot; and
WHEREAS, the City urges all levels of government to take proactive measures to
safeguard public officials, candidates, and democratic institutions from politically motivated
violence.
3
i
I
�
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RES�LVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby condemn political violence
in all forms; recognize its dangerous impact on democracy; reaffirm the City's commitment to free
speech and civil discourse; and urge elected officials,candidates, media figures, and residents to
reject rhetoric that incites violence or dehumanizes others.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2025.
ATTEST:
Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Cammissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM&IANGUAG�
R EXECUTION
9 J�1Zc�Z�
City Attorney � Date
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4