(Johnny Jackson, POIPAC) – Johnny (Keoni) Jackson, Executive Director of POIPAC and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Reinstated Hawaiian Government, and other Hawaiians were barred from the Mitt Romney event at Lawry’s on Friday, June 17, 2011.
After receiving an “Invitation” and responding to attend the event, Mr. Jackson was accompanied by Bernadine Kamai. “We checked in, gave a young lady my name and business card, and we entered the event,” said Mr. Jackson.
“About 10 minutes after entering, I went outside to answer some calls and check if the other two Hawaiians had arrived” added Mr. Jackson.
When I tried to go back inside, a young man was at the door. All of a sudden, he blocked me from going in. When I tried to explain to him that I already had been inside, he became aggressive and pushed me back. At that point, the young lady who was at Sign-In desk said, “I checked off his name.” He then stated, “You have to pay $2500 to go inside.” Again, the woman at the Sign-In table told him, I had already signed in. He then stated, “You have to get a name tag.”
I said okay, and he began herding me towards the table, pushing up against me. At that point, I said, “I am leaving; I need to go inside to get my girlfriend.” He would not let me go inside to get her. He blocked me and pushed me back again. He then said, “Call her.” He was continuing to be aggressive and assaultive.
I went outside and waited for the other Hawaiians to arrive. When they did, I told them we were not welcome here. I was then approached by an individual who identified himself as Mr. Christianson, the Romney Finance Director. He asked me what happened and I told him. He then stated, “There is a misunderstanding; it was for a Dr. Johnny Jackson who called me and said he couldn’t make it. Please accept my apology.”
After checking the phone book, I found NO LISTING for a Dr. John or Johnny Jackson.
Bernadine Kamai then came out and we left. When we arrived home, I called Ryan Erwin, who is involved with the Romney Campaign. I told him what happened and he said he would look into it.
This is not the first time someone from the Romney Campaign has been disrespectful to Hawaiians in Las Vegas. Three years ago at a House Party, some other Hawaiians and I were insulted by the High Muka Muka attitude of his employees as they talked down to us.
When Governor Romney comes to campaign in Nevada, Asian-Pacific Islanders will be waiting for him and hopefully he can explain why.
Governor Romney, there are over 100,000 of us, and you will not WIN Nevada without our support.
