65 Years Later: A Legacy of Courage in Jacksonville

Minister William Jackson, MAT – Launch Church Jax
CEO MetaverseWP & My Quest To Teach
Co-Founder L&D Nexus UAE
Contributor L&D Africa Nairobi

​Sixty-five years ago, on August 27, 1960, City of Jacksonville,
Florida, was the site of a brutal, planned and executed attack
on young students and civil rights activists in Jacksonville,
Florida. Some of the most notable were Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.,
educator, author, civil rights activist. He and others have been
on a quest to make sure the memory of Ax Handle Saturday
never fades nor is forgotten. Learning and understanding the
events of Ax Handle Saturday is still important in the City of
Jacksonville and across the nation.The events of the Civil Rights movement echo’s todays continued
struggles and division across this city, state and the nation.
We cannot afford to forget, deny, cast-away the accomplishments
that came to be from the blood, sweat and tears of yesterdays’ youth,
teens and young adults that are now respected representations of our
past that has influenced our today and the future for our children and
grandchildren.  The struggle and fight continues and history is calling
the youth, teens and young adults of today that will be the leaders we
need today, tomorrow and the future.We must remember actual facts, information and people of
yesterday like Mr. Hurst, Mr. Glover (first Black Sheriff of Jacksonville
Sheriff Office) and others to guide our lives into the future. The
battle still continues even more so today with the attempts to deny,
change, and erase history and historical evidence of the
accomplishments and achievements of Blacks across history and
especially in Jacksonville, Florida.

This year, “commemorated not celebrated” as Mr. Hurst, Sr. stated,
the 65th Anniversary, “we must remember the events that led to
this day and the indelible impact of those who were involved.” ​
Leading up to the attack, a group of students from the Jacksonville
Youth Council NAACP, under the leadership of then 16 year old
Rodney L. Hurst Sr., had been organizing peaceful lunch counter
sit-ins. Their goal was simple yet profound: to challenge the deeply
ingrained system of racial segregation in downtown Jacksonville.

This commemoration shared facts and context that can be applied
today. The added content and context is provided by Min. Jackson
with his use to AI and VR tech to preserve and share to generations
of the future. Photos and pictures posted on the metaverse site and
shared on social media are from the events and activities personally
attended by Min. Jackson and with permission from Mr. Hurst.

Rodney L. Hurst Sr. 
https://www.spatial.io/s/Rodney-L-Hurst-Sr-67fac6975e4958d29524782f

His experiences, wisdom and that of others needs to be share,
taught,  written more about and discussed to understand that
the fight still continues.
​Remembering Ax Handle Saturday on 65th Anniversary
Special Guests

Mayor Donna Deegan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S8BKehdlV0&t=2s

Jacksonville Fl. City Council Rahman Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_z41tgyyYI&t=09s

Florida State Representative Angie Nixon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ljuzgs208

Duval County Public School Board Member
Darryl Willie
Slavery did not benefit Black People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Wx1QFdVK0&pp=ygUpRGFycnlsIFdpbGxpZSBEdXZhbCBDb3VudHkgUHVibGljIFNjaG9vbHM%3D