Located in the El Paso County community of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Andrew Jackson Elementary School should be renamed to better reflect the diverse population it serves. This petition encourages District 11 Board President, Jim Mason to begin the process of soliciting his constituency for suggestions on a name that would be more appropriate, and less offensive.

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, is infamous for his harsh treatment of enslaved workers and his forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands.  Jackson opposed policies that would have outlawed slavery in western territories, and he was instrumental in prohibiting abolitionist groups from using the postal system to deliver anti-slavery messages to the south.  His presidency is perhaps best remembered for his cruelty to Native Americans.  Jackson’s Indian Removal Act resulted in the forced displacement of nearly 50,000 Native Americans, including tens of thousands who died during forced removals like the Trail of Tears.

This place of education needs a better name, and that name must be changed to something that does not reflect a racist, xenophobic, slaveholder. The surrounding community should put a new name to a vote in the coming school board meetings.