Business owners file suit to block RNC events from coming to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Several business owners and neighbors have filed a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville to block Republican National Convention events from coming to Jacksonville as COVID-19 continues to be a public health concern.

The suit states in part that “the congregation of thousands of people from all over the United States in and around VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida under the circumstances and practices encouraged and required by the Republican National Committee (RNC) ... to be a nuisance injurious to the health, welfare and property rights of Plaintiffs, in particular, and the health and welfare of the community of Jacksonville, Florida.”

The 19-page lawsuit was filed against not only the city, but the RNC, President Donald Trump’s campaign and the operator of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, ASM Global Parent, in hopes of blocking the convention from coming to Northeast Florida in August.

Those leading the charge: several downtown business owners and residents who live and work in close proximity to the arena, where the convention is set to take place.

The lawsuit outlines several health and safety concerns due to the pandemic, calling it “not a political matter.”

Many of the business owners say their families have been greatly affected by the virus. A local pastor said he won’t be able to carry out his ministry before, during and after the RNC to make sure his visitors, who are mainly elderly, are safe.

Nearby barbershops say they will have to close too due to the high risk of exposure to the virus.

The suit states in part, “The Republican National Convention, envisioned by Mr. Trump and Defendant will result in a previously unprecedented super spreader event which will not only result in a massive number of illnesses among the people in attendance, but will spread COVID-19 throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.”

The city tells Action News Jax that they have received the lawsuit and their legal team is currently reviewing it.

We have spoken to a number of people that are part of the lawsuit. They have referred us to their lawyer W.C. Gentry, who said he will speak with us on Thursday.

Cox Media Group