The Committee to Support and Defend is hosting a Memorial Day weekend event where retired Lieutenant Colonel Allen West is scheduled to speak.
The event is scheduled for May 28 at Sendero Shooting Sports, a gun range in Belton, Texas.
According to American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU), where Lt. Col. Allen West now serves as executive director, the event has been removed from the Eventbrite website, where people registered to attend the event.
It is not clear if a reason was given by Eventbrite for the removal of the event page. The ACRU alleges that Eventbrite removed the event because it is being held at a gun range, where a pistol and ammunition will be raffled.
“ACRU Executive Director LTC Allen West (ret.) is hosting the Memorial Day weekend event in Belton, TX, paying homage to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Eventbrite recently canceled this event, stopping all ticket sales, saying that the event honoring the fallen does not comply with Eventbrite’s ‘Community Guidelines,'” says a press release from the ACRU.
“The particular issue appeared to be a component of the event, which would offer free ammunition and a new firearm to one of America’s heroes. It appears to be lost on Eventbrite that the veterans and military being honored actually used weapons to defend our freedom,” the release continues.
The former Texas Republican Party chair and U.S. representative from Florida also criticized Eventbrite’s decision.
“As a retired Army combat veteran and Executive Director of the ACRU, I find the misguided and ideological driven decision of Eventbrite very disconcerting. Memorial Day is a time to show devotion to those who gave the last full measure of devotion while bearing arms, to keep us safe and free,” said West. “A Memorial remembrance event near a major US military installation at a shooting range is in keeping with our Constitution, for which those who died took an oath.”
Individuals interested in attending the event can still register for tickets directly from the Committee to Support and Defend website. The website states that “patriots, veterans and active-duty military and their families will gather to enjoy fellowship, food and festivities as we recall the sacrifices made to ensure our lasting freedom as Americans.”