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Christopher Monzon: Marco Rubio canvasser beaten in Miami is alleged former White supremacist

One of the suspects, Javier Jesus Lopez, has been arrested in connection to the incident and is now facing a charge of aggravated battery

Update: Christopher Monzon has been revealed to be a local neo-Nazi who marched with white supremacists at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Monzon was previously spotted at the rally, where white nationalists held a torchlight procession through the streets, resulting in the death of a counter-protester. 

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Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised.

HIALEAH, FLORIDA: A Florida Republican canvasser wearing a Marco Rubio t-shirt, identified as Christopher Monzon, was brutally attacked by four Democratic residents when he was distributing flyers at about 6.30 pm at East 60th Street and First Avenue on Sunday, October 23. One of the suspects, Javier Jesus Lopez, 22, has been arrested and is now facing a charge of aggravated battery in connection with the incident.

Republican Sen Rubio, who is running for re-election against Democratic Rep Val Demings and for whom the victim was campaigning, tweeted and shared the graphic photos of the injuries the man received on the morning of October 24 by saying, "Last night one of our canvassers wearing my T-shirt and a Desantis hat was brutally attacked by 4 animals who told him Republicans weren’t allowed in their neighborhood in #Hialeah #Florida. He suffered internal bleeding, a broken jaw & will need facial reconstructive surgery." According to Miami Herald, the victim was walking near 140 East 60th St in a neighborhood just south of Amelia Earhart Park when the accused Lopez, who lives nearby, tried to block Monzon on the sidewalk. Monzon then crossed the street to avoid him, but Lopez followed, who reportedly told Monzon, “You can’t pass by here, this is my neighborhood.” Following this, the two argued and then Lopez grabbed the victim and slammed him against the floor. A second man, who is not in custody, also allegedly thrashed Monzon's face, while Lopez continued to punch him. Police reported that the victim’s right eye was “completely shut from the damages caused." Monzon suffered internal bleeding and a broken jaw, as per multiple media outlets.

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As per ABC, Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr spoke about the attack in a statement and said, "Freedom of speech is the bedrock of our democracy, and cowardly acts such as this should be condemned by all regardless of individual political affiliation. I have spoken to the victim's family, and have pledged a thorough investigation."

Who is Christopher Monzon?

Monzon, who is currently being treated at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, is a former member of the Miami-Dade GOP Executive Committee, reports ABC. Monzon, who was reportedly running for a seat on the Hialeah City Council at the time, claimed to have resigned from the white nationalist group League of the South in 2018 after serving five years, states Miami New Times. He allegedly mentioned at that time that he regretted using slurs against BLACK and Jewish people while he was a member of the group.

Monzon was reportedly arrested in August 2017 after lunging at a crowd with a Confederate flag during a Confederate street-name protest in Hollywood, according to a police report. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.