ORLANDO, Fla. – When News 6 arrived to the Brannon Center for Congressman Cory Mills’ Town Hall, we saw at least two dozen officers outside.
We asked whether such a large police presence was protocol for a Town Hall. We were told yes due to the amount of people expected. Police went on to say they were expecting at least 300 people to be present. We noticed at least 100 guests showed up.
Also while we were outside about an hour out from the event starting, we noticed a group of eight women holding a banner that read, “Raging Grannies.” They also held signs. One read, “Ice Out.” Another sign reading, “We Could All Be Pretti Good,” appearing to be in support of Alex Pretti, the VA nurse shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis over the weekend.
Shortly after the Town Hall began, Congressman Mills began addressing questions that were submitted prior to the event.
The first question reads, “I’m a brown person…what are you going to do to keep all constituents safe, not just the ones who look like you?”
This question immediately got a round of applause.
The question went on to read, “What about arresting members of ICE wrongfully shooting and killing Americans? How are you going to protect your district from ICE?”
Representative Mills said, “I think we need to tone down the dangerous rhetoric.”
Next, he mentioned his son is half Middle Eastern before saying he agrees there is hate in this world.
He addressed a question about why ICE Agents wear masks. He said it’s to protect their identity, keeping them safe.
To that, a guest in the crowd shouted, “When you behave legally, you won’t need a mask.”
A man shouted that “Alex Pretti was executed.” Rep. Mills responded, saying, “Authorities are still reviewing evidence, and so far, evidence seen doesn’t confirm an execution.”
Mills then got a roaring boo and some words of profanity while he went on to say, “The purpose of ICE is to get rid of violent criminals.”
Mills also responded to the question of whether there are plans to build an ICE Detention Center in his district. He said he’s not heard of any plans.
Rep. Mills appeared to get frustrated with some in the crowd and their questions.
He responded to one man saying, “Sir, do you want me to continue to finish, or do you wanna continue to go on like a bumbling moron?”
He’ll be hosting another Town Hall Thursday from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Oviedo on the Park Amphitheatre & Cultural Center.