1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I’m writing as a Florida resident and proud supporter of our state parks to express my strong concern over the installation of new signage that reads “Gulf of America – Freedom Begins Here,” sponsored by Visit Florida. These signs—recently placed in natural public areas—appear to insert overt political messaging into spaces that should remain neutral, inclusive, and focused on the environment and public enjoyment. Public parks exist to unite us around shared natural heritage, not to reflect partisan narratives or rebrand geography with loaded language. Renaming the Gulf of Mexico, even symbolically, to “Gulf of America” is historically inaccurate, politically charged, and unnecessary. It’s a move that risks alienating many Floridians and visitors alike, who come to these spaces to connect with nature, not to be confronted by culture war slogans. Beyond the message, this also represents a misuse of taxpayer dollars. The time, labor, materials, and marketing budget used to produce and distribute these signs could have been better invested in trail maintenance, conservation efforts, staffing, or educational programming within the parks. I urge you to take a stand against the politicization of our public lands and request accountability for how public funds are being allocated through Visit Florida and other agencies. Thank you for your service to our state. I hope you will stand up for keeping Florida’s public spaces welcoming, apolitical, and focused on what truly matters—nature, stewardship, and community.