JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A leader with the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida is calling for Duval County School Board member Tony Ricardo to resign over a controversial Facebook post that appears to have been shared by Ricardo.
Action News Jax is working to independently verify whether Ricardo shared the post.
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The post includes several statements about Islam, including, “Islam is an invasive political cult,” “We got lost in the myth that Islam is a religion,” and “The Quran is instructions for jihad.”
Action News Jax found a Facebook account for Ricardo with a profile picture matching the one shown in a screenshot of the apparent repost. However, Ricardo’s account appears to be private, so Action News Jax could not independently verify that Ricardo shared it.
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Action News Jax emailed Ricardo directly, asking whether he shared the post, but he did not respond. A phone call to Ricardo also went to voicemail.
This is not the first time Ricardo’s social media activity has drawn controversy. In 2024, Action News Jax reported when LGBTQ advocates raised concerns about other Facebook posts associated with Ricardo.
Wilfredo Ruiz with CAIR Florida said Ricardo should step down.
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“He does not have the intelligence nor the capacity nor the respect towards his student body that he’s supposed to protect first,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said Ricardo should “immediately resign” and also called for an apology.
Duval County School Board members Melody Bolduc and Reginald Blount were the only board members to respond to Action News Jax by the time this story aired.
Bolduc provided the following statement:
“My Christian faith calls me to love my neighbors and speak truthfully about them. That includes my Muslim neighbors. I disagree with the message shared by Board Member Ricardo. Islam is a religion, and describing it as an “invasive political cult” unfairly disparages people whose faith deserves to be represented honestly.
“Board member Ricardo speaks for himself, not the Board, and he answers to the voters who elected him. I am responsible for my own conduct and for faithfully serving our students and families. In that capacity, I want to be clear: I disagree with the message he shared. Our Muslim students, employees, and families deserve dignity and respect, and I believe an apology is appropriate.
“I have Muslim friends whose kindness, generosity, spiritual discipline, and service to others I deeply respect. When people suggest that I should distrust them simply because they are Muslim, I cannot accept that.
“We can firmly oppose radical ideologies that promote terrorism, coercion, and violations of individual rights while respecting religious freedom. We cannot assume our Muslim neighbors embrace those ideologies simply because they are Muslim. We should judge people by their words and actions..
“To our Muslim students, employees, and families: you belong in our schools and our community. My commitment to serving you with fairness and respect is unequivocal.”
Blount provided the following statement:
“I am aware of the repost that was brought to my attention. I cannot, nor will I, speak on behalf of Board Member Richardo. However, I can speak for myself.
“I have always stood firmly for the respect of all faiths and religions. everyone deserves the same level of respect.
We should be equally outraged by any perceived insult, disrespect, or attack directed toward Christianity as well. Our defense of religious freedom and respect should never be selective or based on personal beliefs.”
Duval County Public Schools issued the following statement:
“The views expressed by individual Board members reflect their personal perspectives and do not represent the collective position of the School Board or Duval County Public Schools.”
School Board Member Darryl Willie, who represents School Board District 4, posted the following statement on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon:
“I strongly condemn any language that attacks, demonizes, or marginalizes an entire religious community. There is no place for Islamophobia or discrimination of any kind in our schools or our community.
“Words matter. And they matter even more when they come from people entrusted with public leadership. When we use language that paints an entire faith as dangerous or unwelcome, we create division, fuel hostility, and potentially put students and families in harm’s way. That is a responsibility I take very seriously.
“Our Muslim students, families, and employees deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued. The same is true for people of all faiths, beliefs, and those who choose not to practice a religion at all.
“We cannot ask our children to embrace differences, respect one another, and stand against bullying while allowing rhetoric from those in positions of leadership that does exactly the opposite.
“Leadership comes with responsibility and accountability. An apology to the Muslim community is warranted. Board Member Ricardo must seriously reflect on whether his words and actions are consistent with the responsibility we have been entrusted with as elected leaders. Our students and families deserve better.
“This is not about politics. It is about people. It is about children. And it is about the responsibility we have as leaders to protect and serve every student and every family, without exception.
“I will always stand up for the dignity, safety, and belonging of every child in our school district. That is not negotiable.”
Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso, who represents City Council District 7, called on Ricardo to resign, sharing a letter on Facebook on Tuesday with the following text:
“When an elected official shares content that portrays a whole faith as illegitimate, families have good reason to question whether their children will be treated fairly. That trust is essential. School Board Member Tony Ricardo should resign.”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan issued the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:
“This isn’t behavior the public expects from an elected official in charge of school system policy. Muslim students like all other students should feel welcome and parents deserve to know their children are safe. We must demand better. Religious prejudice does not belong anywhere in our city.”
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