Florida governor is shouted out of campaign event at restaurant by protesters furious over 'red tide' algae

  • Governor Rick Scott quickly left the event in Venice, Florida on Monday
  • Dozens of protesters were angry over toxic algae blooms dubbed 'red tide'
  • Critics blame Scott's deregulation for exacerbating the red tide problem
  • Scott is running for US Senate against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson

By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Florida's governor has been chased out of a campaign event at a restaurant by protesters angry over the proliferation of 'red tide' algae blooms.

Republican Rick Scott, who is running for US Senate against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson, rushed out of the event at Mojo's Real Cuban restaurant in Venice, Florida on Monday.

Scott entered through the rear of the restaurant and stayed for only 10 minutes before fleeing the angry mob, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. 

Protesters shouted 'coward' as Scott's supporters tried to drown them out by chanting Scott's name.

Florida Governor Rick Scott (left) remained at a campaign event on Monday for just 10 minutes, after protesters (right) angry about the red tide overwhelmed the event

Florida has been hit this year with a massive algae bloom off the western shore, a regular occurrence that some believe has been exacerbated by climate change.

The bloom extends in the Gulf of Mexico along 130 miles of coastline, from northern Pinellas to Lee counties, and extends offshore 10 miles or more, according to the latest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The harmful phenomenon has killed of thousands of fish, with one Florida county collecting more than 17 tons of dead fish since red tide algae crept up from South Florida into Tampa Bay.

On Monday, protesters outside the restaurant chanted 'Hey hey, ho ho, red tide Rick has got to go' and held signs that dubbed him 'red tide Rick.'

Protesters are seen outside Mojos Real Cuban Restaurant on Monday in Venice, Florida

Protesters are seen outside Mojos Real Cuban Restaurant on Monday in Venice, Florida

Residents are angry over the massive algae bloom, and blame Scott's policies for exacerbating the environmental problem

Residents are angry over the massive algae bloom, and blame Scott's policies for exacerbating the environmental problem

'The more I learn about red tide the more I can point to Rick Scott making it worse,' Venice resident Rich Peabody, 71, told the Herald-Tribune. 'It's not his fault, but he's making it worse.'

Peabody stood by the back door to Mojo's and shouted 'coward' at Scott as he left the restaurant.

'He's a coward; he wouldn't face these people,' said the semi-retired Peabody, who moved to the area nine years ago. 'Look at our beaches.'

Although Florida has experienced red tides for centuries, Scott's critics say that his policies have exacerbated the situation, pointing out that the algae blooms feed off of run-off from septic tanks and fertilizer. 

In 2012, Scott signed legislation that repealed mandatory septic tank inspections in. 

As governor, he has also cut $700 million from the state's water management districts and reduced staffing at Florida's Department of Environmental Protection.

Dead fish killed by the red tide are shown near a boat ramp in Bradenton Beach last month

Dead fish killed by the red tide are shown near a boat ramp in Bradenton Beach last month

Scott has responded to the red tide by declaring a state of emergency last month covering seven counties impacted by the bloom.

He has also has directed $9 million in grant funding to help communities cope with the bloom.

'Gov. Scott is working hard to find solutions while Bill Nelson is nowhere to be found,' said Scott spokesman Chris Hartline. 

'Nelson promised 30 years ago in a campaign ad that he was going to fight to protect Florida's environment. We're still waiting to see anything besides empty promises.' 

'While red tide is a naturally occurring algae that has been documented along Florida's Gulf Coast since the 1840′s, Gov. Scott is fighting to use all available resources to help impacted communities, including declaring a state of emergency and providing millions of dollars in grant funding to Southwest Florida counties for cleanup and recovery efforts,' Hartline said.

 

 

Florida

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