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<\/p>\nResidents gathered on the steps of Jacksonville City Hall, urging leaders to keep a proposed new jail out of historically discriminated neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Community members and activists are renewing calls to keep Jacksonville\u2019s proposed new jail out of historically underserved neighborhoods, arguing communities already impacted by decades of disinvestment should not bear another burden.<\/p>\n
The latest push comes after Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso introduced a resolution on Monday asking the city to formally recommend that a new jail not be built in historically redlined communities. The proposal was voted down unanimously by the City Council\u2019s Rules Committee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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On Friday, community members gathered on the steps of City Hall, urging leaders to reconsider before selecting a location for a new correctional facility. Activists said neighborhoods such as Durkeeville and Brentwood, both historically impacted by discriminatory housing practices, are already dealing with longstanding economic and social inequities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that we need to continue to fight redlining,\u201d Peluso said.<\/p>\n
Redlining, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, refers to the illegal discriminatory practice of denying loans, insurance, or financial services to residents in specific neighborhoods, often based on race. Research from the National Institutes of Health has linked redlining policies from the 1930s to lasting structural inequities still felt in many communities today.<\/p>\n
The city is currently studying possible locations for a replacement jail to take the place of Jacksonville\u2019s aging downtown facility. While city officials have indicated they do not expect the project to be built in historically redlined areas, critics say that reassurance falls short.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mayor\u2019s office says they don\u2019t expect anything to be built in these areas,\u201d Peluso said. \u201cThere\u2019s still a possibility something could be built in one of these redlined communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
For many residents, the concern is about both economics and community identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not put the jail in an area that is already experiencing exploitation and oppression,\u201d one community member said during the gathering.<\/p>\n
Another resident expressed concern over property values, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s going to cause our community values to go down.\u201d<\/p>\n