This petition requests that the University of Miami preserve the name, and all references, of George Merrick on the University of Miami's campus. Efforts to remove the name of George Merrick (the founder of the University of Miami & the City of Coral Gables) from campus structures are being vocalized by a faction of the University of Miami community. There is no better time to discuss Merrick's good deeds and honor his legacy than now!

We request that: 

1.The University of Miami preserve the name of George Merrick and all mention of his legacy, already assigned to University of Miami buildings, landmarks, roads, and all other structures. 

2.The University of Miami reverse their decision of May 3, 2021, "to no longer refer to the structure on Merrick Drive by our founder's [George Merrick's] name."

George Merrick In Context: A sentence from Merrick's 1937 address has been used out of context by those who seek to remove Merrick's name from the university he founded. Please read his address in its entirety, and see that Merrick wanted to improve the living conditions for all in his community. 

Excerpt from George Merrick's address to the Miami Realty Board on May 17, 1937 & Bay Front Park on May 28, 1937: "Now in the three years when I used to peddle vegetables in Miami—from 1898, I used to take my load around to the several hundred homes, whose men worked largely for Flagler, then to the P. & O. steamers, if they were in, or to the Royal Palm Hotel, if it was in season. If I had anything in the wagon left over, I would go over into negro town and get rid of it. Sadly, but truly, that is the picture of how we have always treated our negro population. If anything is left over, or anything we do not want, then the negroes get that. Today one third of our present population is negro. When we will have a million people, we will have at least a fourth of a million negroes. Today this third of our present citizenry are effectively denied water access and “water use.” Now collectively, as well as individually, we cannot receive fairness, unless we give fairness. It is proposed—for Miami at least, that this unfair condition be remedied. It is proposed to give fairness to this deserving one third of our citizenry. It is proposed that at a proper point on this proposed fifty mile water Loop, that a great Bay beach be established and forever preserved for negro use. And that similarly, on the ocean side of the Loop that similar advantages be established and preferably in one whole little island facing on the Gulf Stream, which could ideally be made there for them an ocean and Gulf Stream park."

Excerpt from "Planning the greater Miami for tomorrow," University of Miami. Library. Special collections. Access full speech here: https://digitalcollections.library.miami.edu/digital/collection/asc9999/id/13342/rec/1

Thank you for your support!