FREE SPEECH OR TOO FAR? Duval School Board Member Faces Resignation Calls Over Shared Anti-Islam Post
By Staff Reports
JACKSONVILLE — One shared Facebook post has a Duval County School Board member fighting for his political life. Anthony “Tony” Ricardo is facing mounting calls to resign after he reportedly shared a post describing Islam as “a political cult masquerading as a faith.”
Board member Anthony “Tony” Ricardo reportedly shared the post, which also called Islam “an invasive political cult,” on social media. The post has drawn swift condemnation from community leaders across Jacksonville.
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, known as CAIR-FL, has called for Ricardo to step down. Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso has also called for his resignation, and Beverly Dempsey, CEO of the interfaith nonprofit OneJax, added her voice to those demanding he leave the board.
The criticism has come from closer to home as well. Fellow board member Darryl Willie publicly criticized the shared post, and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has weighed in on the controversy.
Ricardo declined to comment when reached on November 5.
The episode has opened a wider debate in Duval County about what elected officials say — and share — online. School board members oversee policies affecting tens of thousands of students from every background, and critics argue that publicly circulating material targeting a religion undermines trust in that role. Supporters of personal free speech, meanwhile, often argue that officials do not give up their own views when they take office.
It is not yet clear whether the school board will take any formal action. For now, Ricardo remains in his seat while the pressure builds from city hall, faith leaders, and at least one of his own colleagues.
Join the conversation: Should elected school officials face consequences for what they share on their personal social media accounts — or is that their private business? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Sources: Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville.com), CAIR-FL, WJXT