NAACP Bars Allen West From Giving Keynote Address Following His 'Communist' Remarks

Rep. Allen West (R-FL) has taken intense heat from the media and the left over his statement that there are "78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party." In the wake of the controversy that has resulted from his remarks, West, who was slated to be a speaker at an event hosted by the Martin County chapter of the NAACP this past Saturday, was disinvited from addressing the group.

(Related: West Doubles Down on Communist Comments In Glenn Beck Radio Interview)

Mediaite has more about the reasons behind the decision to axe the congressman as the event's keynote speaker:

In Martin County chapter president Jerry Gore‘s own words: “There’s a certain statement he made about Communists.”

“That statement alone,” Gore added. “….We do not represent that type of atmosphere.”

The statement in question is, of course, when Rep. Allen said that “I believe there’s about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party … It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus.”

The Freedom Fund Banquet was going to have the theme “Still Standing For Freedom and Equality.” West was asked to speak about his rise to fame.

Due to the NAACP's non-partisan status, Gore said that it would be problematic to host West as a speaker following such party-driven claims, TCPalm.com reports. As a result of the decision, the banquet has been rescheduled for Sept. 15, as organizers are seeking a replacement for West.

(Related: Allen West: Muslim Brotherhood & Other Extremist Groups Are Influencing U.S. Strategy)

The congressman's initial claim was made at a town hall event earlier this month. Last week, West's statement about the Congressional Progressive Caucus gained even more prominence when CNN's Soledad O'Brien demanded on-air that he "name names."