For Immediate Release Media Contact: David McCallister 813-778-1202 Email: floridasshe@gmail.com
(Tampa) - A public opinion survey conducted by one the nations's top polling companies shows overwhelming opposition to changing the name of the County's elementary school named for American Hero Robert E. Lee. Gravis Marketing of Winter Springs, Florida conducted the survey by contacting over 500 registered voters in Hillsborough County chosen by random based on their participation in elections. The survey results were immense in favor of keeping Lee - 89% of survey participants opposed the name change. Only 11% support it. "If this had been an issue referendum - this would be considered a 'voter mandate" said Save Southern Heritage Florida spokesman David McCallister. (Links to survey results here: Cross Tabs; Raw Results; Executive Summary; Press Release) School Board member Tamar Shambuger reportedly floated the idea because "its that the time is right to do so". It seems Ms. Shamburger is out of touch with Hillsborough County Voters. The poll also suggests that she is out of touch with 'minority' voters, as well. 65.5% of respondents identifying as African-Americans opposed the change, as did 88.5% of Hispanics. HK Edgerton, past President of the NAACP - Ashville, NC branch, and southern civil rights activist amplified the poll results stating "this school board member doesn't speak for all of the black community". "This is one of the highest levels of support we have seen for the 61 items targeted for removal by those in league the "take-em down" movement said David McCallister. "These results fly in the face of the constant baying of those in the extreme minority who would tear down these observances to historical American veterans throughout the state and country," said McCallister, "It appears that in Hillsborough County, Robert E. Lee is still a venerated American recognized as an outstanding citizen" McCallister added. "Tens of thousands of American children have been named in his honor, either in the first or middle name and a school should not be different" McCallister observed. "A school named for him is very fitting, as he was an educator both during and after his military career" added McCallister. According to wikipedia.com Robert E. Lee served as the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for three years beginning in 1852 and also as President of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) for five years from 1865 until his death. "Lee was a hero in the Mexican War while in the US Army; and also surveyed for the US Army Corps of Engineers right here in Hillsborough County, and designed the lighthouse for Egmont Key" said McCallister In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed an Act restoring U.S. Citizenship to Lee. "The voters have spoken, and if any school board members thinks otherwise, the issue should be placed on a voter referendum for the voters to decide," said McCallister. "We have been watching these purges of American history around the country and it appears Board Member Shamburger is in league with radical hate groups like the Uhuru Movement, the New Black Panther Party and "Anti-Fa", who are hell bent on destroying American history. In a recent interview on WNYC Radio, Malcolm Suber, leader of "Take 'Em Down Nola", who lead the effort to eradicate historical memorials in New Orleans, says whites are "blinded by their white supremacy". He is "not interested in tokens...we won't be satisfied until all of them are done away with". "This is a slippery slope...if we shun one group of Americans and 'disinclude' them from participation in America, who's next?" asked McCallister. Hillsborough County residents have spoken - they don't want the New Orleans spectacle repeated here. Enough is Enough" McCallister concluded.
SAVE SOUTHERN HERITAGE Inc. is a 501 c(4) public welfare corporation that educates & advocates on behalf of Southern Heritage & History. It was started in 2015 in response to the knee-jerk Anti-Southern institutionalized bullying and “Erase-ism” levied against the people of South Carolina by Governor Nikki Haley, after she broke all previous agreements about how South Carolina’s historical veterans and their symbols should be treated and respected. The Florida branch was activated in mid-January 2016, in response to three initiatives in the Florida Legislature that are part of a hate campaign led by Anti-American extremists, who refuse to respect the various cultures that make up the fabric of Florida’s society. Since that time, it has grown in membership and has been active in Heritage battles throughout Florida including the “We’ll Remember in November Campaign” that resulted in #heritagehater candidates to loose elections in Florida. More info: www.sshfl.org.
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