A Florida judge has put Groveland City Councilwoman Judith Fike back in office. She had been suspended by her fellow council members after an old social media post came to light. Many people saw the post as mocking the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. The suspension followed public outcry over a Facebook post Fike made before taking office. The post read, “Duh….why would the shooter target a gay club? My answer…Easier than marching them up steps to push off the roof..some sarcasm, some truth,” — a reference many found deeply offensive.
The 2016 Pulse shooting left 49 people dead at a gay nightclub in Orlando and remains one of the deadliest attacks on the LGBTQ community in U.S. history. Fike argued the post was misunderstood, and it was meant as a support of the community. She claims she was referencing the persecution of LGBTQ people by ISIS, who were known to execute victims by throwing them from rooftops — the same group Pulse shooter Omar Mateen claimed allegiance to. Despite all this, Florida Circuit Judge Dan Morley has ruled in her favor, writing that there is a likelihood of irreparable harm if Fike were kept from voting on council matters. He added that there is a substantial likelihood of success on the merits.
Attorney Anthony Sabatini, representing Fike, announced on social media,
“My client Groveland City Councilmember Judy Fike has been REINSTATED…HUGE WIN.”
While the case is still ongoing, Fike will return to her council duties and continue her reelection campaign. Groveland, where she serves, is located just 30 miles from the Pulse nightclub — a fact that continues to weigh heavily for many LGBTQ Floridians.
