JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “Shame on Jacksonville.”
Those were the words of the Florida State Senator sponsoring legislation that would prohibit local governments from removing historic monuments during the bill’s second committee hearing Tuesday night.
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“Show me the monuments in Jacksonville that have recognized the Black culture and the achievements in Jacksonville. Shame of Jacksonville for not recognizing that,” said State Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers).
Martin’s comments are drawing backlash here in the Bold City.
“We should be offended and take offense to that,” said State Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville).
Nixon argued Martin’s comments ring hollow, considering they were made as he closed on his bill, which would require Jacksonville’s two former Confederate monuments to be put back up.
“Especially since we know that those Confederate monuments were basically a slap in the face to Black people,” said Nixon.
Jacksonville has become central in the debate over the monuments bill after Mayor Donna Deegan ordered the removal of the Confederate statues in Springfield Park in December.
But it’s worth pointing out, that Jacksonville has many murals, parks, and monuments dedicated to prominent Black historical figures.
To name a few, there’s the Ritz Theater and museum, the statue of “Bullet Bob” Hayes in A Philip Randolph Park… A park named in honor of the local civil rights advocate.
After former Mayor Lenny Curry removed the statue and plaque from the Confederate obelisk that once stood in what was formerly known as Hemming Park, the park was renamed in honor of James Weldon Johnson, who wrote the Black national anthem.
“And these are folks who need to be uplifted and highlighted for their contributions to our city,” said Nixon.
Also, Florida Senator Tracie Davis took to social media to push back on Senator Martin’s comments.
“How dare you -- when we’re fighting for history to even be taught in schools, you want to make the argument that we don’t care? Our history is found in murals, books, and our elders; not racist propaganda. Shame on YOU for the rhetoric, Sen. Davis posted on X, formally known as Twitter.
Action News Jax has emailed Senator Martin and his staff asking if the Senator stood by his comments. We have yet to hear back.
Nixon argued Jacksonville hasn’t always gotten things right throughout history, but it’s a city headed in the right direction.
“Jacksonville is working to get its storied past right and to really highlight the contributions of Black Americans,” said Nixon.
She noted the Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, which is currently being constructed in LaVilla, is just the latest way the city is seeking to do that.
On Thursday, Mayor Donna Deegan pushed back on the comments.
“It just seems like this gentleman doesn’t have a whole lot of knowledge about Jacksonville and I hate to see somebody talking about Jacksonville that really clearly doesn’t know anything about our city, Mayor Deegan said. “I saw what Senator Davis said. Hard to top that.”
Today, Action News Jax had a chance to ask Senator Martin whether he stood by his criticism of the Bold City, given that the city does in fact have many monuments and memorials dedicated to Black historical figures.
He responded by redirecting his critique away from the city towards the media.
“Cause all I see in the media is that Jacksonville is just tearing things down,” Sen. Martin said. “So, if the city is doing it great, then great, but then let’s shame on the media then.”
Deegan also said she hopes Martin’s monuments bill does not pass.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo told reporters Wednesday there are reservations about the bill among the Republican caucus, and she wasn’t sure whether the bill would be heard on the Senate floor.
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