Temporary injunction filed against Williston Crabfest; permit needed
In an online hearing on Wednesday, April 21, Judge Craig DeThomasis of Florida's Eighth Judicial Circuit Court granted Levy County a temporary injunction against the Williston Crabfest being held, due to concerns of safety, unless the event's promoter, Keniuel Gates, obtains a special entertainment permit that is approved by the county. Mr. Gates argued in court that the event has been held for more than 35 years, without permits ever being required until this year.
At its meeting on April 6, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners voted to file an injunction against the event being held, because a special entertainment permit had not been obtained by Mr. Gates, the event promoter. Several opponents of the event were in attandence at the meeting
Several days before the ruling, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) issued a press release that warned of potential traffic detours and delays in Williston, Florida on Saturday, April 24, at five intersections where the agency will have checkpoints, due to the event being promoted for the weekend of April 24 and 25, 2021. The press release stated that that parking violations will be strictly enforced, and access at these locations will be restricted to residents only. These locations are:
• CR 318 at CR 335
• CR 335 at NE 35th Street
• CR 331 A (NE 205th Avenue) at NE 50 Street (Mixon Road)
• US Alt. 27 A at CR 318
• US Alt. 27 A at NE 35th Street
Initially, Crabfest was a small community gathering for locals to enjoy seafood, but in recent years, the event has drawn attendees in the thousands, up to approximately 8,000, and with the increase in numbers, there has also been an increase in crime. In 2013, a shooting left 1 person dead and 4 others injured. In 2017, 3 people were arrested; in 2018, 23 were arrested, and in 2019, 14 were arrested. The event was not held in 2020, like many other events due to the Covid 19 pandemic, but the event has been promoted to return to Williston on April 24 and 25, 2021.
Levy County Sheriff's Press Release Update, April 22, 2021:
The hearing related to Levy County’s petition for an emergency injunction to be issued to Keniuel Gates was held yesterday afternoon. Circuit Judge Craig DeThomasis heard nearly three hours of testimony in support of this application and upon careful consideration of the evidence presented, granted the injunction. This injunction effectively shut down Mr. Gates promotion of CrabFest 2021.
Mr. Gates responded to the injunction via Facebook Live, late last night. In his 25 minute address, he vowed to follow this order by the court and will not be promoting CrabFest 2021. Mr. Gates immediately altered his message and began calling for everyone who follows him to join in a march on the City of Williston in protest.
Mr. Gates, a Gainesville resident, has taken the organization of CrabFest upon himself. Residents of the Williston neighborhood along CR 318, where the event has historically taken place, say enough is enough. They want peace this year, and to guarantee peace, CrabFest must move to a safe venue. Mr. Gates organized a protest in this very neighborhood in September of 2020. The protest turned block party devolved into a senseless act of violence where six people were shot.
Sheriff McCallum, the residents of East Williston, the Ministerial Faith Alliance and the Levy County Board of County Commissioners are asking all to join together and refuse to participate in Mr. Gates or anyone else’s efforts to circumvent the injunction and help bring peace to this community. Sheriff McCallum respects everyone’s First Amendment Right to peacefully assemble and their right to free speech, but will not tolerate violence or any other violation of law, including blocking roads, which threaten our citizen’s safety.