The Man Who Stood Up To DeSantis Is Going Viral For Being 'The Florida Man We Need'

The protester who interrupted Governor Ron DeSantis and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez's press conference on Monday is being championed on Twitter. Miami-based activist Thomas Kennedy called out the government's lack of action amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This isn't the first time the governor has been put to task for his response to the novel coronavirus.

"I just interrupted a press conference in Miami-Dade to let governor @RonDeSantisFL and @MayorGimenez know they are an embarrassment to FL and that their incompetence and lack of planning has resulted in the current public health crisis," Kennedy said on Twitter. 

In the video, Kennedy can be heard saying, "you are an embarrassment," and "we're getting record-breaking cases every day, and you are doing nothing."

Editor's Choice: Florida's Largest City Shuttered Its Library After A Worker Tested Positive For COVID-19

Since the video, people on Twitter have been praising his action, including one user who commended Kennedy by tweeting, "Thank you for being the Florida man we need."

While Director Billy Corben tweeted, "The first time we've heard any facts at one of these press conferences."

Rep. Anna V. Eskamani and Rep. Cindy Polo have both shown support to Kennedy after the incident.

"Thomas's frustration is one that hundreds of thousands of Floridians share," said Rep. Eskamani after the video started circulating on social media. Meanwhile, Rep. Polo spoke out against those who said he used "obscenities" against the governor.

Gov. DeSantis has been the root of many trending hashtags on Twitter in response to recent decisions he made. Last week, #DeSantisLiesFloridiansDie gained traction after the state announced it would be reopening schools in August.

“There is a need to open schools fully to ensure the quality and continuity of the educational process, the comprehensive well-being of students and families, and a return to Florida hitting its full economic stride,” reads the order.

On Monday, #DeSantisResign trended after Florida recorded 15,300 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

After the interruption, Kennedy would later go on to say, "I hope people continue to speak out and challenge power. Like Frederick Douglass said, power concedes nothing without a demand. Your voice matters. Use it. We deserve better."

*This piece has been updated.