RantCrush Top 5: July 20, 2017

Paul Congemi, a candidate for mayor in St. Petersburg, Florida, lashed out at his rival’s supporters during a forum, and told them to “go back to Africa.” Congemi addressed the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, which backed his rival Jesse Nevel after he expressed support for reparations for slavery. “The reparations that you talk about, Mr. Nevel, your people already got your reparations,” Congemi said. “Your reparations came in the form of a man named Barack Obama.” The audience booed, and Congemi followed up by saying, “My advice to you, if you don’t like it here in America, planes leave every hour from Tampa airport. Go back to Africa. Go back to Africa. Go back!”

I guess when Trump can become president, people like Paul Congemi start aspiring for more than the village idiot. pic.twitter.com/dseOcq761O

— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) July 19, 2017

Congemi is no stranger to controversy. In January, he was charged with felony elder abuse after his 87-year-old mother was found to have serious bedsores after he allegedly neglected her, although those charges were eventually dropped. He also ran for mayor in 2009–the same year he was banned from a KFC restaurant after he lashed out at employees over his meal. When the police arrived, he reportedly said, “Don’t touch me. I am running for mayor, and once I get elected you will be fired!”

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.