The Atlantic Ocean shimmered just beyond the windows of Casa Calabria in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 11, 2026 as a packed room of proud Italian Americans gathered for the South Florida Chapter dinner of the Italian American Civil Rights League (IACRL). The turnout was tremendous. The atmosphere was warm and spirited. The food was exceptional, the kind of authentic Italian cuisine that reminds you immediately why Italian culture has given the world some of its greatest culinary traditions. With the Atlantic stretching across the horizon, the view alone was breathtaking.
But what made the evening memorable was not merely the fellowship, the laughter, or the shared appreciation of great food. It was the powerful reminder that the Italian American Civil Rights League remains one of the most important grassroots organizations defending the dignity, history, and cultural contributions of Italian Americans.
The League exists for a simple but vital reason: Italian Americans have played an extraordinary role in building the United States, yet our achievements are too often ignored while crude stereotypes are repeated endlessly in popular culture. The League was founded to challenge those distortions and to defend the honor of a community that has given so much to this country.
What makes the organization truly unique is how it operates. The IACRL has zero overhead. There are no bureaucrats drawing large salaries. There is no administrative machinery devouring donations. It is an entirely volunteer charitable organization powered by people who care deeply about preserving Italian American heritage and defending the truth about our community. That spirit was unmistakable last night.
During my remarks I reminded the audience that we are living through a consequential moment in American history. As I told those gathered at Casa Calabria, “What we see today unfolding is a fight between good and evil, between dark and light, between the godly and the godless.” Freedom is not something that sustains itself. It survives only when citizens are willing to defend it.
Italian Americans have always been among the most patriotic citizens in the nation, yet their political influence is rarely discussed openly. I pointed out something that many political observers overlook. “You hear about political activity among Cuban Americans and Chinese Americans and African Americans,” I said. “But you do not hear about political activity among Italian Americans.”
Yet the data tells a very different story. Italian American voters have consistently been one of the most powerful and loyal constituencies in American elections. That is precisely why organizations like the IACRL are so important. The League is not merely a social organization. It is a civic movement dedicated to protecting the reputation, history, and cultural legacy of Italian Americans. Its members work to educate the public about the enormous contributions our community has made to the United States. They challenge negative stereotypes. They promote pride in Italian heritage and encourage civic engagement. And they do all of this without bureaucracy and without paid staff.
At the dinner I challenged those in attendance to expand the movement. Joining the League is only the beginning. As I told the crowd directly, “It is great that you joined the Italian American Civil Rights League. But how many other members have you signed up? How many others have you educated about our mission?” That question goes to the heart of the League’s future.
I also briefly reflected on my own experiences in public life and the political ordeal I endured in recent years. I summarized how prosecutors offered me a deal to avoid prison if I would testify falsely against Donald Trump. My answer then is the same answer I would give today. As I told the audience, “I have no regrets.” Standing for truth is never the wrong decision.
My speech itself was only part of the evening. The real highlight was the extraordinary sense of unity in the room. Families, friends, longtime supporters, and new members gathered together to celebrate their heritage and recommit themselves to protecting it. This is exactly what the Italian American Civil Rights League was created to do.
If you care about preserving the legacy of Italian Americans in this country, you should join the South Florida Chapter of The Italian American Civil Rights League by clicking here. If you missed last evening’s event be assured we will have more. And if you believe our contributions deserve recognition rather than distortion, you encourage others to join. If you want to be part of an organization that operates with integrity, transparency, and absolutely zero overhead, and wish to preserve our Italian heritage the IACRL has been flourishing and welcomes new members.
The League belongs to the people who care enough to participate. I look forward to seeing many more of my friends, family, fans, and followers join the Italian American Civil Rights League in the months ahead. The South Florida chapter demonstrated last night how powerful this organization can be when dedicated volunteers step forward and get involved.
The turnout was tremendous. The food was magnificent. The view of the ocean was spectacular. But most important of all was the reminder that the future of our heritage depends on us.
As I told the audience in closing, “In the fight for America, in the fight for the Constitution, in the fight for freedom, I for one will never quit.” Neither should you.
