(Rev. Ron Rawls) Rev. Ron Rawls, a pastor at St. Paul AME Church, fighting for social justice, in St. Augustine, Fla.. Rev. Rawls is fighting for the resignation of Mark Bailey from the Flagler College Board of Trustees. (Photo courtesy of Cameron Hammer)
Approaching the U.S. 2020 presidential election, tensions are rising across America and a rise of division continues to grow within St. Augustine, Florida.
On October 8, 2020, Joseph G. Joyner, President of Flagler College, responded to the request for the resignation of Mark Bailey, saying Bailey has learned from the experience, leaving many unanswered questions to the students and community of Flagler College.
“This town hall we just had was not a town hall, it was a feel good event to make the school feel like they’re taking an active role in this situation,” said Ryan Fritz, a Flagler College student.
In favor of keeping Confederate monuments located in downtown St. Augustine, Mark Bailey, the President and CEO of The Bailey Group and a Flagler College Board of Trustees member, sent a letter to the Saint Augustine City Commissioners offering to fund the difference for a sewer project in the West Augustine neighborhood, instead of the money being spent to move the Confederate monuments.
Many students enrolled at Flagler College believe Bailey should resign from the Flagler College Board of Trustees. Ally Schecher, a Flagler College student, says Bailey has a direct impact on the outcome of the Black students’ experience and the institution, as Flagler College works towards true diversity and inclusion.
“I don’t feel comfortable with having Bailey make decisions that affect the students here,” Schecher said.
Bailey recently wrote a letter to the Flagler College student body apologizing for his statements, condemning white supremacy, and stating his hopes to move forward together with a strategic plan that will positively impact members of the Black community.
“I completely and unequivocally condemn white supremacy and racism in any form,” Bailey wrote.
On October 3, 2020 Flagler College students and Rev. Ron Rawls, a pastor at St. Paul AME Church, organized a protest calling for the resignation of Bailey.
“Admit your wrong, go sit down and work on yourself, the students of Flagler College deserve better,” Rev. Rawls said.
In return, supporters of Bailey and others gathered for a counter-protest opposing the resignation of Bailey.
“We’re tired of being pushed around by Rev. Rawls and his demands,” said Dylan Russo, a St. Augustine local.
While the emotions of protesters began to rise, a fight broke out amongst the crowd. John Thomas, Shawn Randolph Morrison Jr, and James and Forrest Parham were arrested and charged with battery and disorderly conduct.
St. Augustine is one of the many American cities now divided over race relations, police treatment of Blacks, and politics.
Since the murder of George Floyd, a 46- year old Black male that was killed by the Minneoplis Police Department, St. Augustine has experienced fights for social justice and the end of systemic racism.
Located within the heart of downtown St. Augustine stood a 30 ft confederate monument. This monument stood in place for 141 years, which caused tensions to rise for many residents within St. Augustine.
With many residents believing this monument should be removed, Serena Milne, a Flagler College student and local activist, interpreted these monuments as commemorating racism, slavery and tyranny.
“There are multiple confederate statues in the downtown plaza, next to a structure that served as a slave market. As the revolution approaches, it is far past time to remove these statues from our city,” Milne said.
Many other local residents shared opposing beliefs that the monument should stay in place. Jill Pacetti, one of the 38 descendants of the Confederate soldiers listed on the monuments, believe that these monuments hold the purpose of teaching history and remembering her descendants that were lost at war.
“Our family is still strongly against the removal of our loved one’s cenotaph,” wrote Pacetti in a letter to Saint Augustine City Commissioners.
Bailey offered to fund the difference for a sewer project in the West Augustine neighborhood, instead of the money being spent to move the monuments.
“I will offer to the Commission and City staff that we will personally, along with other community support, fund the difference in the final obelisk removal estimate and the cost of the sewer infrastructure project,” Bailey wrote.
On September 10, 2020 the confederate monument was relocated, by barge, to the new location at Trout Creek Fish Camp.
Milne, along with many others calling for the resignation of Mark Bailey will continue protesting until action is taken by Flagler College.
“We were not satisfied with the College’s response to the resignation of Mark Bailey, so there will be another protest on October 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm,” Milne said.
As the 2020 Presidential election approaches and as Flagler College begins to respond to the resignation of Mark Bailey, the protest will continue to grow along with tension and division within St. Augustine, Florida.
Cameron Hammer 