A tourist from Virginia was arrested last month in Miami Beach, Florida, following an alleged racist attack and tirade that was captured on surveillance video. The footage, which surfaced this week, reportedly shows the man, identified as 42-year-old Michael Nixon, hurling anti-Hispanic slurs at a bartender and making threats of deportation in reference to former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
The video, which was released and posted on YouTube by a local ABC affiliate, allegedly shows Nixon telling the bartender, “I’m American!” and demanding that he speak English. The footage also reportedly captures Nixon making derogatory remarks about the bartender’s Hispanic heritage and threatening him with deportation under Trump’s administration saying ‘Trump is going to deport your a–‘.
Trump’s promise of mass deportations became a reality during his presidency, following his declaration of a national emergency at the southern border with Mexico. Nixon’s alleged comments reflect the heightened tensions and fears surrounding these policies.
The incident reportedly took place in mid-January at Norman’s Tavern on North Beach. Nixon had allegedly accumulated a bill of $130.81, which the bartender was attempting to collect. According to police, Nixon refused to pay, continuing his tirade and insisting that the bartender speak English.
The video also allegedly shows Nixon becoming increasingly aggressive, exchanging words with the bartender and another employee, and attempting to punch one of them. His behavior reportedly escalated to the point where the staff allowed him to leave to avoid further physical altercations.
As Nixon was leaving, he allegedly intentionally struck the bartender by forcefully moving his body forward, specifically his left shoulder, towards him. The bartender appears to defend himself by striking Nixon in the face.
The police were called to the scene by the bar staff and found Nixon outside. He was arrested on a felony charge of battery with prejudice and misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, defrauding an innkeeper, and disorderly conduct. Nixon was held on a $5,450 bond, and his case was still pending as of last week.