#ResignLimaTaub: Racism Must Go!

Anabelle Lima-Taub and the Hallandale Beach Commissioners

Hallandale Beach commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub's racist and bigoted Facebook commentary attacking U.S. Repesentative Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian woman elected to Congress, makes clear her disdain for the Arab, Palestinian and Muslim communities of South Florida.


At a time when racism and hatred is on the rise, it is shocking to see Lima-Taub's Facebook post denouncing Tlaib, in which she said: “A Hamas-loving anti-Semite has NO place in government! She is a danger and [I] would not put it past her to become a martyr and blow up Capitol Hill.”

There is no basis for any of Lima-Taub's comments except for the fact that Rashida Tlaib, an elected member of Congress, is a Palestinian-American, Muslim woman who is proud of her identity and heritage. She recently made history and inspired people around the world when she was sworn into office wearing a traditional Palestinian thobe (embroidered dress).

This is not merely an issue of racist, thoughtless words on social media. As an elected official, Lima-Taub is charged with the well-being of the entire community. Through her words, it is clear that Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Americans in South Florida cannot rely on her to represent them. Worse, she makes it clear that she views these communities as terrorist threats, rather than as families, businesspeople, students, workers, teachers, elders, children and loved ones. This rhetoric serves to promote white supremacy and hatred that threaten us all.

It is clear that Anabelle Lima-Taub is the one who has no place in government. Lima-Taub calls herself "the Rogue Commissioner." A Commissioner who makes clear that her anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia is indeed "rogue" - she has shown that her constituents cannot rely on her for equal treatment before the law.

As community activist Rasha Mubarak says, "Lima-Taub has publicly spewed false and outlandish remarks around Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, solely because she is the very first Palestinian and one of the first Muslim women to enter Congress. This language is dangerous, violent, and unproductive in Florida politics, moreover it not only brings harms to communities of color, it continues to disrupt our country’s path to progress and and fairness for all people...There is no room for hate in Florida politics."

So far, other members of the Hallandale Beach Commission have criticized Lima-Taub's remarks but have stopped short of calling for an apology or resignation. We demand real accountability: it's time for Anabelle Lima-Taub to resign and for members of the Commission to meet with Arab, Palestinian and Muslim groups to discuss issues of concern.

To: Anabelle Lima-Taub and the Hallandale Beach Commissioners
From: [Your Name]

At a time when racism and white supremacy is on the rise, it is shocking to see Hallandale Beach Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub's bigoted and hateful Facebook post denouncing U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, in which she said: “She is a danger and [I] would not put it past her to ... blow up Capitol Hill.”

As an elected official, Lima-Taub is charged with the well-being of the entire community. Through her words, it is clear that Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Americans in South Florida cannot rely on her to represent them. Worse, she makes it clear that she views these communities as terrorist threats, rather than as families, businesspeople, students, workers, teachers, elders, children and loved ones. This rhetoric serves to promote white supremacy and hatred that threaten us all.

It is clear that Anabelle Lima-Taub is the one who has no place in government. Lima-Taub calls herself "the Rogue Commissioner." A Commissioner who makes clear that her anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia is indeed "rogue" - she has shown that her constituents cannot rely on her for equal treatment before the law.

We call for the immediate resignation of Anabelle Lima-Taub and accountability from other members of the commission, who while critical of Lima-Taub's remarks, have not even called for an apology. It is also long past time for the commission to put real effort into meeting with and hearing the concerns of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim groups in the community.