A Portuguese descendant residing in the United States was surprised by the police visiting her home following a post on social media criticizing the mayor of Miami Beach. The case raised debate about the limits of the authorities’ actions and freedom of expression.
Raquel Pacheco, daughter of Portuguese parents, said she was approached by two agents who wanted to confirm whether she was the author of a comment published on Facebook. Before opening the door, she asked if she was being detained, and agreed to speak only after obtaining that guarantee. The police showed him the comment on his cell phone and asked for confirmation of authorship.
The situation was later commented on by the mayor of Miami Beach himself, who praised the police intervention. Raquel, in turn, defended the right to criticism and highlighted that the publication falls within freedom of expression, generating reactions and discussion on social media.
Raquel Pacheco says she was asserting her right to free speech when she commented on Facebook about the mayor of Miami Beach, where she lives.
Police the dispatched officers to her home to assess whether there was a “safety threat.”
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts)
