Playing the Race Card from a Stacked Deck in JAX
Upcoming federal hearing could settle longtime debate over Confederate monuments in Jacksonville
An upcoming major court hearing in Jacksonville’s federal court could impact the longtime debate over Confederate monuments on city property.
Next week, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the case of Earl M. Johnson Jr. v. Mayor Donna Deegan and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2021 during the administration of former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, and it argues that the display of Confederate monuments on public property violates the U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Johnson Jr.’s father was the attorney for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Now, decades later, he’s got a fight of his own.
“I’m four years in. Someone once told me that a little perseverance goes a long way in this world, and I’m in it for the long haul. I feel very confident we’ll be successful in front of the 11th Circuit next week,” Johnson said.
Johnson sued the City of Jacksonville and the State of Florida for displaying Confederate monuments on city property.
“When I see these tributes, whether it’s Confederate Street or parks named after the confederacy, even counties in our state named after Confederate soldiers and generals, I’m disgusted by…