More than 100 residents filled the Duval School District headquarters on Monday for the board’s public comment session, drawn by a recent Facebook post by board member Tony Ricardo that labeled Islam an “invasive cult.”
Community reaction divides over free speech and religious respect
Ricardo has not addressed the post publicly, nor has he responded to commenters at the meeting. Attendees were sharply split. Some argued the post is protected speech under the First Amendment, while others criticized the board member for targeting a major world religion that includes many of his constituents, teachers, and students.
Local leaders, including Duval GOP Chair Charles Barr, defended Ricardo, saying his focus is on education, not students’ faith. “It doesn’t matter to him what the students’ religion is. He’s there for the students to help them learn education. That’s it,” Barr told Action News Jax.
Student voice and calls for accountability
A sixth‑grade student who practices Islam spoke up, warning that students could face consequences for making hateful remarks like those posted by Ricardo. “Why should an elected official be held to a lower standard than an 11‑year‑old? As a Muslim child, I should never have to wonder whether the people making decisions about my education respect my faith,” she said.
Several elected officials, including former state Rep. Angie Nixon, have called for Ricardo to apologize or resign. District 5 representative Reggie Blount described the situation as “intra‑ethnic political racism,” while Board member Melody Bolduc emphasized her Christian faith calls her to love her neighbor, regardless of disagreement.
Disruptive remarks from a pardoned Jan. 6 participant
Among the speakers was pardoned Jan. 6 participant Jake Lang, who appeared wearing a bullet‑proof vest and an ankle monitor. His incendiary anti‑Muslim comments prompted dozens of audience members to demand he be silenced, labeling his remarks as hate speech. Board Chair Charlotte Joyce did not address Lang directly, but the room became so noisy that his speech was drowned out before his allotted minute expired. Joyce repeatedly ordered the auditorium cleared, and police escorted Lang out.
Board response and next steps
After a 20‑minute recess, the meeting resumed with attendees held in a waiting room to limit further disruptions. When public comment ended, the board allowed everyone back into the auditorium.
Board members are not permitted to respond directly to public comment, but each used the final remarks segment to address the evening’s chaos. Ricardo remained silent. District 4 representative Darryl Willie, who is term‑limited, offered an apology to Muslim families and stressed the power of board members’ words, saying, “When we say things from a position of power, that power actually creates things. And tonight, it created the reaction that we had.” He concluded, “Our kids are watching.”
The board’s policy requires speakers to avoid profane or vulgar language, though it does not define those terms. The meeting highlighted deep community divisions over free speech, religious liberty, and the standards to which elected officials are held.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
