April 22, 2021
The hearing related to Levy County’s petition for an emergency injunction to be issued to Keniuel Gates was held yesterday afternoon. Circuit Judge Craig DeThomasis heard nearly three hours of testimony in support of this application and upon careful consideration of the evidence presented, granted the injunction. This injunction effectively shut down Mr. Gates promotion of CrabFest 2021.
Mr. Gates responded to the injunction via Facebook Live late last night. In his 25 minute address he vowed to follow this order by the court and will not be promoting CrabFest 2021. Mr. Gates immediately altered his message and began calling for everyone who follows him to join in a march on the City of Williston in protest.
Mr. Gates, a Gainesville resident, has taken the organization of CrabFest upon himself. Residents of the Williston neighborhood along CR 318 where the event has historically taken place say enough is enough. They want peace this year and to guarantee peace, CrabFest must move to a safe venue. Mr. Gates organized a protest in this very neighborhood in September of 2020. The protest turned block party devolved into a senseless act of violence where six people were shot.
Sheriff McCallum, the residents of East Williston, the Ministerial Faith Alliance and the Levy County Board of County Commissioners are asking all to join together, refuse to participate in Mr. Gates or anyone else’s efforts to circumvent the injunction and help bring peace to this community. Sheriff McCallum respects everyone’s 1st Amendment Right to peacefully assemble and their right to free speech but will not tolerate violence or any other violation of law, including blocking roads, which threaten our citizen’s safety.