John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County, California, bears the name of actor John Wayne, who the Orange County Board of Supervisors wanted to honor in 1979 after his death. Airports are often named after influential people to honor them, their contributions, and preserve their legacy. 

Wayne's legacy, however, includes racism and champions the subjugation of Native American/Indigenous people. Wayne stated, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people."

He also stated, "I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from the Indians. Our so-called stealing of this country from them was just a matter of survival. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves."

Wayne's blatant racism and white supremacist views are antithetical to American values, and he should not be honored with an airport named after him. We are calling on the Orange County Board of Supervisors to rename the John Wayne Airport.