Queens Village GOP cancels Steve Bannon gala
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AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File
By David Brand
Steve Bannon’s trip to Queens is cancelled.
The Queens Village Republican Club has called off its $125-per-plate annual gala featuring Bannon as keynote speaker. The former advisor to President Donald Trump and the ex-editor of nationalist news site Breitbart — who has been spreading conspiracy theories about the spread of COVID-19 — was set to deliver the keynote speech at the organization’s “Lincoln Dinner” at Antun’s March 22.
“We regret to inform you that New York State is closing all dining and entertainment establishments which includes Antun’s Caterers, effective 8pm Monday evening. Thus our 145th Anniversary Lincoln Dinner will not take place,” the QVGOP wrote on its website Monday.
After the Eagle first reported on Bannon’s marquee role at the dinner, the organization Media Matters for America urged the QVGOP to cancel the event amid the coronavirus outbreak. MMFA pointed out that Bannon had been spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and that another prime guest, the British blogger Katie Hopkins, had encouraged her Twitter followers to spread coronavirus in order to “build their immunity.”
Hopkins has been frequently criticized for her hateful, particularly xenophobic, comments, including a recent column in which she wrote that COVID-19 would make sure “borders are beautiful again” by halting international flights and quarantining cities.
The QVGOP did not respond to multiple calls from the Eagle Monday about whether it would cancel the dinner before publishing its online announcement.
Last week, QVGOP President Philip Orenstein called the event a “celebration to encourage people, to inspire the Republican Party and inspire fellow patriots so we can grow and organize, and energize the troops.”
Orenstein also downplayed the criticism of Bannon and Hopkins in an interview with the Eagle. The pair of provocateurs were set to pose for photos with attendees for $50.
“Anyone can hold whatever opinion they want of people,” Orenstein said. “People in the limelight are going to be a target, I know Katie Hopkins has been targeted because she takes a strong stance — people have a right to their opinions “
Assemblymember Clyde Vanel, whose district office is located across the street from Antun’s declined to criticize the event. He said he welcomes perspectives across the political spectrum, even if he disagrees with them.
“In this country I am a defender of the First Amendment and I’ll fight for the ideas that I believe in and I’ll fight for things I don’t agree with,” Vanel said. “I love to have diverse opinions right in my neighborhood.”
Many residents were angry with the choice of speakers — a departure from past QVGOP galas featuring more moderate headliners, like Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, who leads the congregation at the Malkhut synagogue and co-chairs the Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Rabbinical Council, said it was “painful” that many of her Queens neighbors would embrace Bannon as a keynote speaker
“As a rabbi, as a Jew, I know that there are plenty of Jews in Queens who find this to be a despicable choice for a keynote speaker in our community,” Goldenberg said. “By welcoming him they’re supporting white supremacy and bigotry. Steve Bannon has been working for years to elevate forces of White Nationalism and bigotry and racism against immigrants.”
“He proudly foments hatred against Muslims, and people of color and Jews,” she continued. “His platform has been empowering white supremacists who have been committing violence.”
Additional reporting by Rachel Vick.
