Later in the afternoon, Emanuel and Garcia appeared separately at an NAACP forum.



Despite instructions to the audience to withhold any expressions of approval or disapproval during the event, Emanuel was heckled by some in the crowd wearing Garcia campaign pins. In contrast, Garcia was applauded and trailed out of the gymnasium by a crowd of supporters.



Asked during the forum about Fioretti's endorsement of Emanuel, Garcia smiled at the audience and then tried to underscore the irony behind the alderman's support of the mayor.



"Ald. Fioretti has been one of the most vocal critics of this administration of the past four years," Garcia said. "I think his observations on how the city has not functioned for ordinary people, for especially lower income communities, were very relevant, continue to be relevant."



"As to why he did what he did, you really have to ask him," Garcia continued, drawing laughter from the audience. "I think he's a good man. About his decision, only he can answer that question."