A journalistic investigation has sparked controversy surrounding Referendum 3 in Miami, scheduled for November 3, by pointing out that influencers allegedly linked to the campaign in support of the Virginia Key marinas disseminated racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-LGBTQ messages directed at their opponents.
The research, published by Miami New Times, examines the funding of the campaign and the postings of various content creators.
The case was also addressed this Monday by Political Cortadito, which links some of those influencers to other political controversies in South Florida.
What is being voted on in Virginia Key?
The Referendum 3 asks the residents of the city of Miami if they approve the leasing of 27.62 acres of public land in Virginia Key to Virginia Key LLC, a joint venture of Suntex Marinas, based in Dallas, and RCI Marine Group.
The contract includes an initial term of 45 years, with two possible renewals of 15 years each, allowing for the lease to be extended up to 75 years.
Developers are committed to investing approximately 80 million dollars in the renovation of the Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas.
According to the terms of the proposal outlined in the original article, the city would receive a minimum annual rent of $2.2 million, in addition to 6% of gross revenues, with a guaranteed total of approximately $204 million over the first 45 years.
Early voting began on October 19.
The referendum is exclusively for the voters of the city of Miami, although it is part of a day when Miami-Dade will also vote on other measures.
Millions of dollars to promote the project
According to electoral funding records cited by Miami New Times, Suntex Marina Investors LLC contributed $2.35 million to the political committee Help Save Virginia Key between July 20 and October 9.
The company is listed as the only reported donor during that period.
Of the expenses reported by the committee, approximately 1.12 million dollars were allocated to Big Tuesday Media, a firm located on Brickell Avenue, Miami.
The disbursements were made through 32 payments identified as public relations services, digital advertising, social media, and audiovisual production.
Influencers implicated in racist and antisemitic messages
The investigation points to three conservative Hispanic influencers who allegedly participated in promoting a favorable vote for the project: Linda Catalina, Josue Alvarez, and Isabella Rodriguez.
According to Miami New Times, individuals with direct knowledge of the campaign stated that Big Tuesday Media had hired these content creators.
However, the report did not present contracts or invoices that individually substantiated those payments.
The controversy also revolves around publications and videos aimed at two opponents of the project: Adam Gersten, owner of Gramps Getaway, and Aabad Melwani, operator of Rickenbacker Marina.
A report examined by the newspaper counted at least 13 antisemitic comments against Gersten, 15 racist attacks against Melwani, 16 comments with threats or expressions of harm, and eight attacks on LGBTQ individuals.
The medium itself specified that it had not independently verified those counts.
Among the cited examples, Alvarez referred to Melwani as a "third world trader" and told him to "count your days" in a TikTok video.
Catalina, for her part, suggested in another post that Melwani was dumping waste into the water because "she thinks this is India."
In an exchange regarding Gersten, Alvarez responded, "What do you think?" when asked if the businessman was Jewish.
Melwani was born in Hong Kong and has lived in Key Biscayne since he was 14 months old. His wife is Cuban.
Gersten, another opponent of the project, could lose his restaurant if the development proposal goes through.
When asked by Miami New Times, Catalina replied via email: "You are the fake news."
The owner of Big Tuesday Media did not respond to the newspaper's requests for comments.
Connections with other political campaigns in Miami
Political Cortadito also examined the involvement of these influencers in other political disputes in South Florida.
According to that outlet, some propagated attacks against Lucía Báez-Geller, the Democratic candidate for District 106 of the Florida House of Representatives, including accusations linking her to terrorism.
The publication also linked content creators to controversies surrounding Melissa Castro, the commissioner of Coral Gables, and Mayor Vince Lago.
According to reports from Gables Gazette and Political Cortadito, a committee linked to Lago paid more than 65,000 dollars to Big Tuesday Media, while the total payments to the firm would exceed 100,000 dollars during 2026.
Related videos:
Filed under: