JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A leader with the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida is calling for Duval County School Board member Tony Ricardo to resign over a controversial Facebook post that appears to have been shared by Ricardo.
Action News Jax is working to independently verify whether Ricardo shared the post.
The post includes several statements about Islam, including, “Islam is an invasive political cult,” “We got lost in the myth that Islam is a religion,” and “The Quran is instructions for jihad.”
Action News Jax found a Facebook account for Ricardo with a profile picture matching the one shown in a screenshot of the apparent repost. However, Ricardo’s account appears to be private, so Action News Jax could not independently verify that Ricardo shared it.
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Action News Jax emailed Ricardo directly, asking whether he shared the post, but he did not respond. A phone call to Ricardo also went to voicemail.
This is not the first time Ricardo’s social media activity has drawn controversy. In 2024, Action News Jax reported when LGBTQ advocates raised concerns about other Facebook posts associated with Ricardo.
Wilfredo Ruiz with CAIR Florida said Ricardo should step down.
“He does not have the intelligence nor the capacity nor the respect towards his student body that he’s supposed to protect first,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said Ricardo should “immediately resign” and also called for an apology.
Duval County School Board members Melody Bolduc and Reginald Blount were the only board members to respond to Action News Jax by the time this story aired.
Bolduc provided the following statement:
“My Christian faith calls me to love my neighbors and speak truthfully about them. That includes my Muslim neighbors. I disagree with the message shared by Board Member Ricardo. Islam is a religion, and describing it as an “invasive political cult” unfairly disparages people whose faith deserves to be represented honestly.
Board member Ricardo speaks for himself, not the Board, and he answers to the voters who elected him. I am responsible for my own conduct and for faithfully serving our students and families. In that capacity, I want to be clear: I disagree with the message he shared. Our Muslim students, employees, and families deserve dignity and respect, and I believe an apology is appropriate.
I have Muslim friends whose kindness, generosity, spiritual discipline, and service to others I deeply respect. When people suggest that I should distrust them simply because they are Muslim, I cannot accept that.
We can firmly oppose radical ideologies that promote terrorism, coercion, and violations of individual rights while respecting religious freedom. We cannot assume our Muslim neighbors embrace those ideologies simply because they are Muslim. We should judge people by their words and actions..
To our Muslim students, employees, and families: you belong in our schools and our community. My commitment to serving you with fairness and respect is unequivocal.”
Blount provided the following statement:
“I am aware of the repost that was brought to my attention. I cannot, nor will I, speak on behalf of Board Member Richardo. However, I can speak for myself.
I have always stood firmly for the respect of all faiths and religions. everyone deserves the same level of respect.
We should be equally outraged by any perceived insult, disrespect, or attack directed toward Christianity as well. Our defense of religious freedom and respect should never be selective or based on personal beliefs.”
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