JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan condemned recent antisemitic rhetoric around Jacksonville, saying there’s no place for that in a community he knows and loves, according to News 6 partner WJXT-TV.
Khan spoke with WJXT’s Jamal St. Cyr before the Jaguars (2-5) hit the field ahead of Sunday’s game against the Broncos (2-5) in London. WJXT Channel 4 is broadcasting the game.
“I am really distressed on all this antisemitic rhetoric around Florida-Georgia. It’s hurtful,” Khan said. “And I mean, it’s not the Jacksonville I know and love and all of us have to work together to absolutely put an end to it. So, let’s stop it.”
[TRENDING: FEMA hiring workers to help with Hurricane Ian recovery, agency says | Tropics Watch: A tropical depression is likely to form in the Caribbean | Become a News 6 Insider]
Ye, the artist who was previously known as Kanye West before legally changing his name, sparked a recent wave of antisemitic actions across the country with disparaging comments and tweets about Jewish people. That has led to numerous visible antisemitic reactions across the area.
On Saturday night, an antisemitic message that said “Kanye was right about the Jews” was projected across the back side of one of the videoboards at TIAA Bank Field. That message was later projected on several other buildings in Downtown Jacksonville.
Mayor Lenny Curry addressed the messages in a tweet Sunday morning.
“Jacksonville is a city made better because of its diversity. Those who spread messages of hate, racism and antisemitism will not be able to change the heart of this city or her people. I condemn these cowards and their cowardly messages,” Curry wrote.
Jacksonville is a city made better because of its diversity. Those who spread messages of hate, racism and antisemitism will not be able to change the heart of this city or her people. I condemn these cowards and their cowardly messages.
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) October 30, 2022
Banners with similar messages were hung from overpasses on the Arlington Expressway and on Jacksonville’s Westside.
The University of Florida along with the University of Georgia issued a joint statement Sunday morning, saying they stand together against hate.
Joint statement from UF-UGA regarding antisemitic hate speech. pic.twitter.com/vHrs36M7e5
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 30, 2022
Others also spoke out against the statements, including Republican Congressman John Rutherford and the leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties in Duval County.
“In the last 24 hours, Jacksonville has been attacked by a coordinated campaign of anti-semitic hate. These displays have no place in our community and are vile. I call on all our elected and community leaders to condemn these hateful displays of antisemitism and support our Jewish community. Silence breathes acceptance — this is not Duval,” Chairman Daniel Henry said in a statement.
“The kind of anti-Semitic hate speech being circulated online purportedly from the Florida-Georgia game is despicable and extremely disappointing. There is absolutely no room for this sort of hate in Northeast Florida. I continue to stand in support of the Jewish community in Jacksonville and across this nation,” Rutherford said in a statement.
“The Republican Party of Duval County condemns the recent displays of antisemitism in our city. Bigotry has no home here. We call on our community to stand against those who peddle hatred in order to divide us,” Duval GOP tweeted.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: