A.G. Gancarski
After days of criticism, Jacksonville City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman explains why she called for “civility” when a crowd jeered Gov. Ron DeSantis at a local vigil.
And in the process, she’s repudiating the Governor, who made a rare trip into hostile territory in Jacksonville Sunday afternoon to offer words of comfort after yet another incident of racist violence became part of the city’s history.
Pittman, a Democrat, positioned herself Thursday with people who called for accountability for the Governor in the wake of a White man with swastikas on his rifle killing three people at a New Town Dollar General last weekend.
DeSantis promised Jacksonville residents that “help is on the way” after three Black people were killed by a White man at a Dollar General near Edward Waters University. He appropriated $1 million for security enhancements at the school and another $100,000 in aid for the victims’ families. But Pittman’s statement, released four days after the vigil, suggests his help wasn’t sought.
“Let me be clear. The perpetrator alone isn’t responsible for this tragedy,” Pittman writes. “It is also the armchair generals, extreme right-wing politicians who created policies for racists and gun-toting White supremacists to thrive.”
Pittman also repudiated DeSantis’ remarks, asserting she did not invite the Governor or request his presence.
“I did not invite him to speak, and I was not happy he chose to do so because it caused much disruption,” Pittman said.
“I do not support any policies that diminish our race and who we are as a people,” she added. “Nor do I support the Governor’s ideology of building political dynasties at our expense that hurts Black and Brown communities.”
After Pittman quieted the crowd, the Governor offered brief remarks, saying that a “major league scumbag (came) from Clay County up here” and that “what he did is totally unacceptable in the state of Florida.”
DeSantis vetoed budget appropriations from Rep. Angie Nixon, who represents the part of Jacksonville containing the university. His appropriations in the wake of the murders did not mollify her.
“For it to take murder for him to dig into his overflowing coffers is appalling,” Nixon said Monday afternoon, calling on DeSantis to “actively work toward undoing the racist system he’s helped uphold and grow.”
It seems Pittman is making a similar call, though only after days passed between the vigil and the statement on the Thursday before Labor Day Weekend.
8 comments
Two faced Jacoby
August 31, 2023 at 7:43 pm
Pittman is two faced. I saw the video where she told people to be quiet, cause she wanted gifts of money. Now she bashes the Governor. I hope Republicans remember how two faces she is. Do not trust her!!!!!
D Edwards
August 31, 2023 at 11:00 pm
So we should trust DeSantis and the Florida Republican party? I think I will trust what my eyes see.
Tonya buchann
September 8, 2023 at 7:08 am
She’s dead now
Jaxson74
September 1, 2023 at 10:22 am
Critics are calling CM Pittman a ‘mammy’ and ‘coon’ on the app formerly known as Twitter. If this is any indication of the community response to her remarks at Sunday’s vigil, Pittman put herself in a tight spot with regard to being elected in the future.
Mickey
September 1, 2023 at 10:59 am
She us a two face “clown” literally. On the day of, she castigated folks from pushing back on Desantis, then because of blowback she does this disingenuous screed. The off withe huge Frame glasses on her fat head looks clownish. Who told her that looks good was not her friend. I was watching the press conference and was just wondering who is that clown. I couldn’t take her serious at all. Jax needs to get rid of her asap
Dr. Juan P. Gray
September 1, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Councilwoman Pittman’s behavior was despicable and ” simply outrageous ” in this gathering of Black Folk. We and they have ligitable reasons to voice our distrain for a Governor who has disrespected us in his actions. Pittman would do the Black Community a favor by Resigning and Go Home. We do not need elected officials like her to represent us. Damn Shame.
Jerald Penrice
September 3, 2023 at 1:27 pm
She needs to be voted out, too much bootlicking on her part.Shame on you Ju’coby Pittman.
Iris Jones
September 1, 2023 at 10:59 pm
Ben Frazier Founder of the Northside Coalition (who recently passed ) was turning over in his grave at the sight of Ms Pitman’s remarks at the vigil . If he had been there Gov.DeSantis would not have shown up.He was a true leader for the community .
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