NEW YORK — A tweet by a Florida state representative about the death of a black man who was shot by police prompted a Twitter storm on Monday.
The tweet from Representative Steve Sisolak, R-Gainesville, came as protests in the United States continued to take on racial overtones and as Trump was traveling to Florida to attend the funeral of an African-American man killed by police.
I have to say, I think that @realDonaldTrump should be ashamed of himself.
The death of #JaxsonJaxston, a black father of five, is a disgrace.
We should be outraged and condemn this.
I have to call out the man who tweeted the death threat.
It is shameful.
The tweet came as protesters in the U.S. continued to protest against the deaths of black men and boys.
This week, several people, including Sisolaks wife, were arrested during demonstrations and one person was charged with felony vandalism.
The Sisolakis were arrested on Monday after they allegedly defaced a Confederate flag at a South Florida home.
Sisolaki’s wife, Marissa, posted a tweet on Sunday saying, “You can’t stop us now.
We will make this country great again.”
She added, “I think Trump should be embarrassed.
And his wife should be, too.
They should both be ashamed.”
The tweets have drawn strong reactions from other prominent people, some of whom were on hand Monday to support the family.
Siolak has been criticized for his tweet.
On Twitter, his followers responded with some of the most vitriolic attacks of the day, calling him an “abomination” and a “traitor.”
“What does this have to do with @realDonaldTrump?
What does this do with Trump?” tweeted CNN’s Don Lemon.
“What is he supposed to have to gain by putting his family’s reputation at risk?
How dare you.
He is the president of the United Kingdom.
You cannot put your family’s career or life at risk for your own political views.
He should be fired.”
Sisolak was reacting to news of the death in Gainesville of Jamar Clark, a 26-year-old African- American man who died after being shot by Gainesville police during an arrest for driving without a license.
Siaslak has previously been critical of Trump’s handling of the protests and was critical of President Barack Obama in January.
He has been critical in the past of the President’s immigration policies, particularly his executive order allowing illegal immigrants to enter the U and his plan to build a wall along the U.-Mexico border.
The Gainesville Police Department is investigating the death and is asking anyone who has seen anything suspicious or suspicious activity at the residence to call the Gainesville-Boca Raton Police Department at 407-967-2790.