Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was forced to pause his Monday keynote address at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2015 National Convention after a group of Latino activists repeatedly interrupted him.
Within minutes of taking the stage at USHCC’s Women in Business and Leadership Luncheon in Houston, Texas, several activists on behalf of illegal immigrants who might benefit from the Dream Act began shouting over the Republican presidential candidate who they say has flip-flopped on supporting a pathway to citizenship for some 11 million immigrants currently residing in the U.S. illegally.
“No hope without our vote,” the young Latino activists chanted for several minutes.
Bush first attempted to continue without acknowledging the hecklers, but eventually paused his remarks until they’d been escorted out of the banquet hall.
“I believe we need immigration reform,” Bush told the crowd once the hecklers had been removed. “I’ve been clear about this. I believe that Dream Act kids should have a path to citizenship.”
The Florida governor, who dropped to the No. 6 spot in the Washington Examiner‘s presidential power rankings following last week’s GOP debate, proceeded to honor three Hispanic women in a short before concluding his remarks with a few sentences of Spanish.
He is scheduled to head to Mason City, Iowa, late Monday afternoon for a town hall with Republican voters.
