JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A picture circulating online shows another antisemitic sign plastered prominently in Downtown Jacksonville and now several council members are taking action.
Council member Rory Diamond says he will file a bill this week aiming to prevent symbols of hate from being projected on private property while other council members are getting involved, hoping to pass similar bills.
"Considering that Jacksonville keeps on being attacked by these messages, clearly, we have to get together, get to the root of it and stop it," Diamond said.
The latest message is a swastika projected onto the CSX building in Downtown Jacksonville.
First Coast News has not been able to independently confirm the legitimacy of the photo, which first circulated online, however, Council member Rory Diamond says enough is enough.
"You don't have a right to put a bumper sticker on somebody else's car, you don't have a right to project an image on somebody else's building," Diamond said.
He isn't the only one stepping forward. Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Carlucci says he and mayoral candidate Leanna cumber will be introducing legislation Wednesday that would make it unlawful for someone to project an image on city property without express approval.
In a statement CSX says it "condemns in the strongest terms the antisemitic symbol depicted in the images of our building on January 14."
"It's happening too much and what's worse is that they are protecting this on people's property without their permission," Council member Matt Carlucci said.
Diamond says his bill will ensure punishment for those caught in the act.
"We want these cowards to come out into the light and be honest, but their name on this, if they're going to. This bill would make it both a civil crime and a criminal crime," Diamond said.
Diamond expects his bill will earn support from other members. Once it is filed, he says the public will be able to participate in a series of discussions to improve its language.