Mayoral candidate says Obama was reparations, tells Blacks to ‘go back to Africa’

St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral candidate Paul Congemi claimed that Black people had already gotten reparations because Barack Obama was elected president.

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On Tuesday, a St. Petersburg, Florida, mayoral candidate claimed that Black people had already gotten reparations because Barack Obama was elected president.

Mayoral Candidate Paul Congemi took aim at the Uhuru movement and their candidate, Jesse Nevel, on July 18 during a mayoral debate, saying, “Mr. Nevel you and your people talk about reparations. The reparations that you talk about, Mr. Nevel, your people already got your reparations. Your reparations came in the form of a man named Barack Obama.”

He then added, “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!”

The next day, the current Mayor Rick Kriseman issued a statement about the incident, saying, “I was reluctant to engage this candidate last night and draw even more attention to his disturbing message. I regret not doing so, though. It is simply unacceptable to spew this kind of bigoted rhetoric. Free speech should not compromise the dignity and respect of any person or community. This candidate spoke hateful words about African-Americans and our LGBT community. He has the right to do so, but nothing about what he said is right. His comments just aren’t who we are.”

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