JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Civil rights activists in Jacksonville are asking African Americans on the City Council to form a black caucus to help address racial injustices.
NAACP President Isiah Rumlin sent a memo to seven city African American City Council members Thursday morning, calling for a black caucus.
Councilman Garrett Dennis said the biggest issue for neighbors where he serves is the lack of infrastructure and not enough community engagement.
In the memo, Rumlin said for the first time in Jacksonville’s history, seven of the 19 City Council members are black.
“The positive thing is that people are coming together to address issues that we’ve known for all these years,” Dennis said.
While using social distancing, Dennis told Action News Jax he’s in favor of the idea but with only one concern.
“The issue will be the Sunshine Law and getting around the Sunshine Law,” Dennis said.
Rumlin said a black caucus could help address disparities and other issues that negatively affect people in black neighborhoods.
The memo Rumlin sent explains how systemic racism, police brutality, poverty and health care is affecting them.
On Wednesday, Mayor Lenny Curry, Sheriff Mike Williams, State Attorney Melissa Nelson and community activists met for a discussion in our Action News Jax studio.
The mayor says he is willing to work together to address issues within the budget.
Dennis says a black caucus will be discussed before city leaders in the coming weeks.
Meantime, Dennis said Council President Tommy Hazourri is working with them right now to deal with injustices and promises made during consolidation.