Dear friends of Southern History & Heritage, Florida history is under attack. The Florida Legislature is gearing up and one of our Southern heroes is in the crosshairs. The time to act is NOW if we are to resist the purge of Southern (and American) Heritage here in Florida - the elimination of Florida's highest ranking Military Veterans - Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith from representing Florida in the Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, DC. Republicans in Tallahassee are on a slippery slope...they are about to join ranks with Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz to purge Gen. Kirby-Smith from ignoring Pres. Trump's request to 'keep the beautiful statues". Four Elected Officials can protect him and our heritage, but WE MUST ACT NOW! HOW TO HELP: 1. Sign this petition: https://www.change.org/p/carlos-trujillo-keep-mr-smith-in-washington/fbog/28887230?recruiter=28887230&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page 2. Call these powerful committee chairman: Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R - Miami) 850-717-5105 Rep. Jose Olivia (R - Miami) 850-717-5110 Sen. Frank Latvala (R - Pinellas/Pasco) 850-487-5016 Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R - Lee Co) 850-487-5027 WHAT TO SAY: I'm calling to ask you NOT TO HEAR "SCR 184/HB 139". Are you going to go along with Democrats in Congress like Deborah Wasserman Schultz in disgracing Florida's most prominent veteran? Or are you going to stand with Pres. Trump and keep the beautiful statues? A Statewide poll that shows that 77% of Floridians, and 90% of republicans want Smith to remain in Washington. Link to Poll Here: WHEN TO CALL: This week - every day if possible. This is the week they will be deciding when (or if) to hear this purge bill. ​ REMEMBER if WE don't speak up for saving our heritage - no one will. The other side has paid lobbyists and the threats from the NAACP, BLM and company. _____________________________________________ BACKGROUND Edmund Kirby Smith was born in St. Augustine, where his family lived and is buried. He was Florida's first West Point Military Academy graduate, where he earned the nickname "Seminole". He was active duty military his entire career. He served with distinction in the Mexican War, where he was wounded in combat. After the war he served as an instructor at West Point. When Florida joined the Confederate States of American, he was commissioned for service and rose the post of Commander of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi. After the War, he went back into education, teaching mathematics at the University of the South at Suwannee, TN, where he is buried. Smith and his family were instrumental in the education of Alexander Darnes, who would become the first African-American physician in Jacksonville, who is credited for saving thousands of lives in an epidemic that struck the city. *Smith, like Lee was a teacher, concerned about the education of the next generation. Smith, like Lee was a Christian, family man. *Smith, like Lee had personal relationships with and were held in high esteem by African-Americans *Smith, like Lee, made a tough choice to serve their State, and not to fight against their family, when duty called. *Smith, like Lee, helped promote and advance freed family slaves. *Smith, like Lee is targeted for removal from public spaces, because he is symbolizes what the radical left hates about America. Two years ago, the Charleston shooting was exploited as a reason to purge Gen. Smith. Led by the NAACP, a bill was passed calling for a replacement to be named. Last year, in part to our members and friend's efforts, the replacement bill died. Charlottesville is now being exploited to put the final nail in Gen. Smith's coffin. Now the radical Democrats are trying to coerce Republicans in Tallahassee to commit political suicide, going against the will of Floridians in We must put and end to this now! ----- Please pass this along to like-minded friends Thank you, -Together we can Save Southern Heritage - FL _____________________________________ About Us: We are a voluntary association of individuals who revere the south, southern history and southern heritage. We wish to see the history of the south preserved for future generations. Graves, Street Names, County Names, Historic Cenotaphs and Monuments are all under attack by the Anti-History, Anti-American Heritage Haters. If any memory of Southern American history is to exist in America, it is up to us. ​ SSH FL is working tirelessly to counterpunch the "erase-ists" and to preserve and promote the history of the south. We hold events and provide resources related to the study and preservation of southern heritage. We also work with legislators to pass and maintain legislation to protect history and the freedoms of those who wish to support their heritage. ​ Our group does not condone racism and as such we do not support any group or person that does. We respect the rights and privileges of all as bestowed on them by their creator and expect those in our association to respect and treat others as they themselves would wish to be treated. ​ We invite you to join us in saving Southern Heritage and spread the word to like minded individuals. (www.sshfl.org)