PALM BAY, Fla. – A local elected official who’s also a veteran said Islam does not belong in the United States.
Here’s exactly what Palm Bay councilman Chandler Langevin wrote on X last month.
Langevin was replying to a tweet from State Sen. Randy Fine (R-Brevard County).
“Exactly. We have similar concerns as I have no issues saying that Islam exists for the sole purpose of conquering Christendom and ending the Jewish people as well and they do not belong in this great nation,” he wrote.
He then doubled down on his comments writing, “I said what I said.”
Those who Langevin upset had their chance to address him at Thursday night’s city council meeting.
One woman speaking called Langevin’s comments, “racist foolishness.”
“That’s the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard, especially out of a local commissioner. You oughta be ashamed of yourselves,” she said receiving a round of applause from the crowd.
Another woman who addressed the council spoke on behalf of the Islamic Society of Brevard.
“To anyone feeling unwelcome, unsafe because of the recent comments, we see you, and we value you, and we stand with you,” she said. “Our community is richer because of you, and no hateful words can change that truth.”
To those looking for an apology from Langevin, he then defended what he said while other council members did not support his comments.
“I said that the ideology of Islam, particularly the political component, does not belong in the United States,” Langevin explained. “There’s nothing wrong with saying that. So no, I’m not gonna apologize.”
Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe said he didn’t appreciate the extra stress put on the council and city staff from the backlash of what Langevin said.
“I don’t think it benefits the city,” he said. “I don’t think it benefits what we’re trying to do here.”
Mayor Rob Medina then commented on the city’s diverse population.
“There’s a huge responsibility as we serve 140,000 people to be respectful, to be mindful of how your words can lift families up or tear down and divide us,” the mayor said.
Langevin told News 6 reporter James Sparvero he couldn’t meet him Friday before his deadline.
Langevin last month talked to News 6 about leading the discussion on keeping fluoride out of Palm Bay’s tap water.
Instead Friday, Langevin shared a statement which references the White House.
“My message is on par with the administration’s,” he wrote. “We welcome anyone from anywhere that is coming to the United States for a better life and willing to respect our constitutional republic. There are radical and political sections within Islam that are not compatible with our laws and customs and those ideologies do not belong in the United States.”
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