UNMasking DeSantis

Indivisible St Johns Speaks Up About Inclusion of Sons of Confederacy in Easter Parade

Here's our member's letter to the parade committee and their response

Hi Ms. Tilton,

I am a fairly new resident to Saint Augustine and my family and I moved here because we love the beauty and the rich history of this city. But, that beauty does not include a Confederate flag or a Confederate soldier in a parade.  I'm not sure what the committee was thinking. Even though the Civil War was a part of our Southern history, it isn't something to parade around downtown as if we should be proud of it.  

Did the committee stop to think about the effect that would have on....people of color? Did the committee have a conversation about the fact that that is not a proud part of our history?  That was very irresponsible.

Please don't do that again. White supremacists in this area don't need any more justification for exhibiting their hate.

Thanks!

Laurie Holcomb

Mrs. Holcomb, 

I too love the city of St. Augustine. I was born and raised there. The city has gone through so many changes through the years. One of those changes was the committee for the parade. We have received a great deal of emails from citizens both against and for the inclusion of the Sons of the Confederacy. They were included because they always had been included. When we meet again on May 20, we will discuss the opinions and work to create guidelines for next year's parade.

As for emailing me, my personal email address was shared rather than the committee email address. If you have anything further you would like to discuss, please email us at oldestcityeaster@gmail.com

Thank you, 

Sandy Tilton