JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It may soon be illegal to use a projector to post an image deemed to be hate speech on buildings in Jacksonville.
On Saturday night, a photo of what appeared to be a Nazi symbol projected on the CSX Headquarters building circulated on social media.
The photo comes after multiple antisemitic messages were projected on buildings elsewhere in Downtown Jacksonville in October.
On Thursday, two different City Council members introduced legislation with the hope of stopping hate speech images from being displayed on buildings by someone who does not own that building.
But the message of limiting hate speech seems to have turned political. The press conferences for each of the proposed legislation were held at almost the same time in different locations in Downtown Jacksonville.
"We need to be the leader in the state and in the country to stop these messages," said City Council member LeAnna Cumber during her press conference outside CSX headquarters.
"We have an issue that was impacting our city, we have a process and a plan now to address it, and it's going to be addressed," said City Council President Terrance Freeman at his press conference at City Hall.
Cumber and Freeman each submitted legislation that would make it illegal to post hate speech on buildings that you don't own. In fact, the legislation is virtually identical.
Cumber is a candidate for mayor and only one of the two bills will be passed by City Council. Current Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff T.K. Waters attended Freeman's press conference.
"It would seem odd that my colleagues would vote down a bill that is so critical. I think if that happens its pure politics," said Cumber.
Not to be lost in the parliamentary politics of which council member's bill will come to a vote first, religious leaders who attended Cumber's press conference want to eliminate hate speech in Jacksonville.
"We stand with our Jewish neighbors because they need support at this time during this horrific announcements of evil and hatred," said Rachel Bez.
"We know this won't be the thing that stops hate, but it makes it that much harder and brings attention to it," said Adam Chaskin, CEO of the Jewish Community Alliance.
An executive from CSX was also in attendance at Cumber's press conference.
"CSX is extremely proud to be able to stand together with all of these members of the community," said CSX Vice President Bryan Tucker. "To stand up for our city and to make sure that this type of behavior is not welcome in our city."
Two pieces of legislation, each with the same message that hate has no home here.
City Council is expected to vote on this legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
If one of the bills becomes law, spreading hate speech on buildings will be punishable up to a $2,000 fine, 60 days in jail and confiscation of the device used to project the image.