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Nearly 2 dozen groups take part in 'Change the Names' protest in front of Duval County school board building

As many as 21 different groups were represented in the rally, which began at 5 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Almost two dozen non-profit and Civil Rights organizations rallied outside of Duval County Public school headquarters Wednesday pushing for the school board to change the names of six schools named after Confederate leaders.

For the past several months, local activist groups have urged Duval County Public Schools to change the names of schools that are named after controversial historic figures, most notably leaders of the Confederacy.

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene released her recommendations for school name changes on Tuesday:

  • Joseph Finegan Elementary School would become Anchor Academy
  • Stonewall Jackson Elementary School would become Hidden Oaks Elementary School
  • J.E.B. Stuart Middle School would become Westside Middle School
  • Kirby-Smith Middle School would become Springfield Middle School
  • Jefferson Davis Middle School would become Charger Academy
  • Robert E. Lee High School would become Riverside High School

Greene is not recommending changes to Jean Ribault middle and high schools and Andrew Jackson High School, according to a release by the district, following the tabulation of votes from students, alumni and the community.

About 75 people from organizations such as Black Lived Matter, the NAACP, and the Jacksonville Community Action Committee packed in for the rally with the message of wanting students of all colors and backgrounds to feel comfortable in their schools.  

There were 19 speakers, including students, former teachers, religious and community leaders and politicians. The list of speakers include:

  • Dr. Kimberly Allen, 904WARD
  • Lecia Brooks, Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Deyona Burton, Lee High School Class President
  • Mario E. Decunto, Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida
  • Amy Donofrio, former Lee High School teacher
  • Rev. Dr. Reginald Edwards, National Action Network
  • Grace Mae Flaven, Student
  • Ben Frazier, Northside Coalition of Jacksonville
  • Maria Garcia, Jacksonville Action Committee
  • Dr. Tim Gilmore, Author/Professor
  • Rev. R.L. Gundy, Senior Pastor Mt Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and the Progressive Coalition
  • State Representative Angie Nixon, District 14
  • April LaNubian Roberts, Florida Rising
  • Rev. Russell Meyer, Florida Council of Churches
  • Isaiah Rumlin, NAACP
  • Wells Todd, Take Em Down
  • Debbie Tribble, Northside Coalition of Jacksonville
  • Diamond B. Wallace, VP, Jewels of the Future
  • Vincente Waugh, EVAC Movement, former Lee High School

Leaders are also asking people who do not want to attend in person to participate via Zoom.

A group of counter-protesters waved Confederate flags and sang "Dixie" during the rally.

“The name of a school is important to everyone in Jacksonville," Howard Dale said. 

Howard Dale is a retired business lawyer who fought to get rid of the name of a school named after a Ku Klux Klan leader when he served on Jacksonville City Council. 

Dale believes the current school names groups are pushing to change could have an effect on Jacksonville's economy. 

“Think about the many companies that are considering coming to Jacksonville," Dale said. "What do they think about when they realize that we have named our public schools after Confederate generals? They think we’re stuck in the 19th Century." 

“We don’t think that Black children should be forced to go to school that honors a man’s name who felt that slavery was ordained by God or that Black people were inferior to whites," Ben Frazier said. “We can use this as an opportunity to improve our schools and also to improve the city’s image.”

Ben Frazier is president of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville and says the next discussion would be the cost. A philanthropist donated $50,000 for costs involving the proposed school name changes, and Frazier hopes the community can donate $100,000.

“The Jacksonville Public Education Fund has opened a school renaming fund," Frazier said.

“This is not to say that the virtues of those people can’t be appreciated by those who want to delve into their history, but it’s not the right message for education in Jacksonville," Dale said.

The recommendations will go to the Duval County School Board for their action on June 1 at their regular meeting. This is when Greene will discuss these recommendations in-depth with the School Board.

    

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