Heated theater battle comes to Miami Beach

Politico

19-03-2025

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Good morning and welcome to Wednesday.
A vote in Miami Beach this morning over an independent movie theater is attracting a huge amount of outside attention and backlash — and showing how the conflict in the Middle East hits home in Florida.
Miami Beach Mayor STEVEN MEINER is presenting a resolution before the city commission that would evict the nonprofit O Cinema South Beach from its space and cut off its grant funding. Meiner, who is Jewish, objects to the theater showing the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land' about Palestinian displacement from the West Bank.
More than 750 filmmakers, including Miamians BARRY JENKINS and BILLY CORBEN, have sent an open letter to city commissioners condemning the plans, calling them an 'offense to the people of Miami Beach, and Greater Miami as a whole, who deserve to have access to a diverse range of films and perspectives.'
The theater's leaders have likewise raised concerns about censorship, free speech and artistic expression violations. The ACLU of Florida has also gotten involved.
'I certainly didn't expect the level of attention it's gotten,' Meiner said Tuesday during a Zoom town hall he typically holds ahead of commission meetings. 'I don't think anybody could have predicted that.'
Meiner said he watched the film and claimed it 'definitely triggers emotions.' But he maintained he viewed the movie as a 'one-sided propaganda' film that portrayed 'the Israeli and the Jewish people in general in a very negative light.' Meiner further said it misrepresented the facts, and he wanted to see the cinema show a film representing the other side of the conflict, rather than mainly spotlighting the Jewish experience through films about the Holocaust. A few hours later on Tuesday night, he filed a second resolution to that effect.
'If this was a movie that was racist against blacks or was an attack on the LGBTQ community here in South Florida — we have a heavily populated Hispanic community and Cuban community — if there was a one-sided propaganda piece, glorifying the revolution, and Castro, especially if you did it in the heart of those neighborhoods, I think you might get a pushback,' Meiner said.
He also stressed the lease of the building was government property (Miami Beach's old city hall) that they rented at greatly reduced rates. Were 'No Other Land' to be shown in a private theater, then there would be 'nothing I can say,' Meiner added.
The filmmakers shared the documentary for viewers to watch for free online Tuesday evening. Co-directors BASEL ADRA, a Palestinian activist, and YUVAL ABRAHAM, an Israeli journalist, have pushed back on criticisms the film is antisemitic. They've faced controversy elsewhere, including having trouble finding a distributor in the U.S., and have worked directly with cinemas to show their film to audiences.
The Miami Beach resolutions come as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip against Hamas targets Tuesday, marking the end of a ceasefire that started in January. The conflict is especially salient in Miami Beach, which has among the highest concentration of Jewish residents in the U.S. Last year, the city enacted restrictions Meiner proposed that prohibited protestors from blocking sidewalks or streets, following demonstrations from pro-Palestinian groups.
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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...
MEDICAID SPENDING — 'The state Legislature this year is considering a bid to increase legislative oversight of Medicaid, as the Florida regulator overseeing the $33 billion program explains how it misspent $160 million — and why it needs $160 million more,' reports POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian.
'Bills filed in the state House and Senate both seek to create a joint-legislative committee, which would periodically meet to review the performance of the Medicaid program. State Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) said the committee he proposed in SB 1060 would provide the Legislature with more information to better prepare the state budget for shifts in Medicaid spending. Those could require state lawmakers to authorize hundreds of millions of additional dollars during the year.'
'IT IS BIOLOGY' — 'Florida students could be required to watch high-definition ultrasound footage showing a human embryo developing as part of health education under a new bill introduced Tuesday by state House Republicans,' reports POLITICO'S Andrew Atterbury.
'The idea, included in a sweeping K-12 education package, is similar to laws proposed and passed in red states like North Dakota and Tennessee since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. Florida's proposed legislation doesn't explicitly say what schools should show to meet the proposed standards, but it's closely aligned with measures across the country that feature a 'Meet Baby Olivia' video produced by anti-abortion group Live Action.'
SCHOOL CHOICE REFORMS — 'Florida House lawmakers introduced possible reforms Tuesday to the nation's largest school choice program, attempting to better track who is getting state-funded scholarships and where they are going,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury.
'Republican officials, led by DeSantis, have long claimed the 'money follows the child' in Florida's universal school choice program, in which students can receive vouchers toward private schools or homeschooling regardless of income. But that's not always happening, as school districts have reported lapses such as students enrolling in public schools even after taking a scholarship and funding delays.'
MORE BOOK REMOVALS AHEAD? — 'State Senate Republicans introduced a bill Tuesday reigniting the battle over what books should be allowed in Florida public schools,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury.
'The legislation, which advanced in the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, aims to expand state book challenge laws by forbidding districts from weighing the potential literary value of a flagged work if it is considered 'harmful to minors.''
NEW NASA CAUSEWAY BRIDGE — DeSantis on Tuesday announced the completion of the NASA Causeway Bridge 'months ahead of schedule.' In a statement, DeSantis wrote that 'with these new bridges, Florida is more ready than ever to become home to NASA's new headquarters.' This is the latest in a series of moves Florida has made in pushing NASA to consider relocating its headquarters to the Space Coast.
— Isa Domínguez
SPRINGS RULE HEARING — Lawyers representing environmentalists and state agencies faced off Tuesday in Tallahassee heading into a three-day administrative law hearing on proposed rules to protect springs from groundwater overpumping. The Florida Springs Council requested the hearing on Department of Environmental Protection proposed rules that are supposed to prevent pumping 'harmful to the water resources.' The Springs Council says the rules, required by 2016 legislation, won't protect springs and do not comply with the law requirements.
— Bruce Ritchie
MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE — 'A state Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that bans suspected weather modification activities after hearing from the CEO of a cloud-seeding company who wants to begin working in Florida,' reports POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie.
'Augustus Doricko, CEO and founder of Rainmaker Technology Corp., said his California company has been working in more arid Western states and is concerned about the ramifications of a ban in Florida.
'The legislation, FL SB56 (25R), would repeal sections of existing state law related to weather modification licensing and would label the activity a criminal misdemeanor. Supporters say the legislation is needed to halt the spraying of chemicals in the atmosphere to reverse climate change, which some scientists label as a conspiracy theory.'
— A bill filed by state Sen. TOM WRIGHT (R-Port Orange) that would create an 'International Aerospace Innovation Fund' cleared its first committee. Each country that chooses to participate would provide funds 'to find new innovations that are out there and work collaboratively' on space-driven projects, Wright said when presenting the bill.
— Isa Domínguez
— 'Spending on Florida's out-of-state employees continues to raise questions,' by Michelle DeMarco of the Florida Trident.
— 'Inside the death of the starter home in Florida,' by Mary K. Jacob of the New York Post.
PENINSULA AND BEYOND
CALL FOR REMOVAL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS — After a measure that would 'ratify an agreement between their local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement' failed in the Fort Myers City Council, BYRON DONALDS accused the dissenting council members of 'dereliction of duty,' reports A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics. Florida Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER echoed Donalds' sentiments, saying his office will be 'investigating for potential infractions of Florida Statute.'
CARIBBEAN LEADERS PUSH BACK — 'The leaders of several Caribbean governments being targeted under a proposed U.S. travel ban say they have received no formal notifications from the Trump administration that their nation is among dozens of countries whose nationals could be shut out of the United States,' reports Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald.
— 'Trump sent these Venezuelans to El Salvador mega prison. Their families deny gang ties,' by Syra Ortiz Blanes, Verónica Egui Brito and Claire Healy.
— 'Former diversity officer at USF resigns after comments on DEI laws,' by Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times.
— 'Bartow commissioners vote 3-2 to keep fluoride in the city's drinking water,' reports Rick Mayer of Health News Florida.
CAMPAIGN MODE
WORKING TO STOP MOMENTUM — 'DeSantis' political operation is making calls urging state lobbyists not to support Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., whose 2026 bid for governor has already socked away more than $3 million — much of which has come from President Donald Trump's donors,' reports NBC News' Matt Dixon.
'The calls, according to seven people familiar with the effort who requested anonymity to speak freely, are attempts to curb any potential contributions from mostly Tallahassee-based lobbyists to Donalds' campaign.'
— 'Erika Donalds says she'd back a 'parent-directed' education system as First Lady,' by Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics.
DATELINE D.C.
DEMOCRATS BLAST RUBIO ON TPS — Democratic Rep. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ led a letter from Democratic representatives slamming Secretary of State MARCO RUBIO, demanding 'an explanation of what drastic change occurred in Venezuela between February 5, when DHS declared Venezuela safe for return, and February 6 when you reaffirmed the brutal reality of Maduro's dictatorship.'
'The Trump Administration's decision to revoke TPS for 348,000 Venezuelans is not just dangerous, it is a betrayal of the Venezuelan-American community,' they wrote. 'It defies logic that the United States would deport individuals to a country you yourself have described as an 'enemy of humanity,' one that has driven 8 million people to flee, imprisons dissidents, and tortures innocent civilians.'
For background: The blowback isn't just coming from House Democrats — Florida House Republicans have been pushing back against Trump's decision to eliminate TPS for Venezuelans. The stakes are particularly high for South Florida Republicans, who represent districts with many Venezuelan American constituents who have relatives and friends with TPS.
— Isa Domínguez
HOW DOGE CUTS ON FOOD IMPACT FLORIDA — Nearly 3 million Floridians rely on federal food-assistance programs, which could be on the chopping block in Congress, reports Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel. According to Amy Baker, Florida's chief economist, 'Florida is almost certainly facing revenue shortfalls of $2.9 billion in 2026 and $7 billion in 2027, when those budget cuts would start to take effect.'
WELDON ADDRESSES PULLED NOMINATION — Former Rep. DAVE WELDON blames the pharmaceutical industry for his nomination's withdrawal, reports Florida Today's Dave Berman. Weldon, who has expressed vaccine skepticism and was tapped by Trump as his nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wrote in a statement that 'Big Pharma' influenced the White House's decision.
— 'Trump signs order to shift disaster preparations from FEMA to states, local governments,' by Andrea Shalal of Reuters.
ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN
— 'Starliner astronauts are back: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams land with Crew-9 in Florida,' per USA Today.
BIRTHDAY: Allison North Jones, director of communications for Florida Justice Association.