ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A St. Augustine pastor will lead a protest to coincide with the kickoff event for Nights of Lights.
The message: To take down the Confederate monuments in the city’s main plaza.
The annual lighting ceremony in the Plaza de la Constitución draws thousands of people every year.
“It's always a very special time for us,” Mayor Nancy Shaver said.
But as the city prepares for the kickoff event, faith leader the Rev. Ron Rawls of St. Paul AME Church is also preparing.
“We'll be loud, but we won't break any law,” Rawls said.
It’s being called the “Remove Them Now” protest.
At the center of the controversy are two Confederate monuments. One of them is owned by the city and the other by the University of Florida.
Last month, Action News Jax was there for hours of public comment. City commissioners finally decided to keep the monuments but to add context that helps explain the full story.
“Just yesterday, the applications opened for an advisory commission to help us figure out how to tell the rest of that story,” Shaver said.
Rawls will lead the protest Saturday, saying he hopes it impacts tourism.
“There's no sympathy or empathy towards the black voice in city hall but I do know they care about the tourists,” Rawls said.
Shaver said the city is prepared.
“This is the oldest public place, public forum in the country so it’s important for us to honor and respect the First Amendment,” Shaver said.
Like with any large event, Shaver said there will be heightened security.
Rawls said he’s planning a peaceful protest but one with a strong message.
According to Rawls, city leadership and the police department are aware of the protest. Protesters plan to meet at St. Paul AME Church, then march to the plaza.
Cox Media Group
