School Board Chair Says She’s Gotten Death Threats Over Hulk Hogan Comment
At the Alachua County School Board meeting Thursday, Chair Dr. Sarah Rockwell acknowledged the comment she made about Hulk Hogan’s death on her personal Facebook page and revealed that she has faced death threats over the social media post.
Last week, Rockwell gained notoriety among conservatives for making the following statements on her personal Facebook account:
Rockwell later deleted the comment and apologized but still acknowledged the situation at the meeting.
At the board meeting, Rockwell reiterated her apology before stating, “I have been subjected to death threats and harassment from people across the country and here. This includes the release of my home address. While I remain fully accountable for my actions, I do not condone political violence, and I believe no one—especially my children—should be put at risk because of my mistake. I understand that many of you still have concerns and you want to share your thoughts, and I will listen fully and respectfully for as long as I’m physically able as I continue my recovery from surgery. That said, after tonight, I will not revisit this topic again. My focus and our collective focus must return to the work this community expects from us as a board: improving our schools, supporting our teachers, staff, and students, and moving this district forward. The sooner we can move forward together, the sooner we can return our full attention to what matters most, our students.”
Board member Janine Plavac, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, responded to Rockwell’s comments. "School board members hold a duty to represent all constituents with fairness and dignity. Celebrating an individual’s death based on a political affiliation or ideology violates that principle and undermines trust in our institution… I believe Dr. Rockwell crossed that line with her comments, and since she represents all the board members as chair, I felt that she needed to resign as chair.”
Board member Thomas Vu defended Rockwell and said she has “given her life to the betterment of others.” Vu condemned individuals who called for violence against Rockwell and said, “There is no scenario where threats of physical harm or harassment toward any single person, let alone their family, are acceptable or justified… I also want to make it very clear that there's a pattern going on in this community of selective outrage, and it's really emerged from local political leaders and voices.”
Vu went on to reference the Joel Searby case, stating, “I just think back to not long ago when political leaders right over there in Newberry actively supported and defended a child predator who led an effort to convert three public schools into charter schools. This person was later arrested, charged, and convicted of child sex crimes… These same leaders who now demand accountability from Dr. Rockwell stood by this individual and dismissed community concerns and failed to demonstrate the same moral clarity they now claim they possess… Where was your outrage then?”
Board member Tina Certain told Plavac that her calls for Rockwell to step down were hurtful. Certain said, “You felt like you could express your political views, but I don't feel that you were extending that same grace.”
Several people showed up to the school board meeting to share their two cents on the situation.
After hearing from over a dozen people in support of Rockwell, one man spoke expressing consideration for Plavac’s suggestions.
Another man, who went by Jeremy and did not give a last name, was outwardly hostile towards Rockwell, calling her a “disgusting vile human being.”
Certain asked for Jeremy to be removed from the room and a deputy began escorting him out; however, the school board attorney advised against kicking him out. Certain accepted the attorney's suggestion, and told the deputy to stop. This led to outrage, and the board called for a five-minute recess.
Jeremy was permitted to stay but chose to leave, according to an Alachua Chronicle article.
Following the recess, Certain gave every person in the room a warning about disruptive behavior before the board heard from more public commenters, which included City Commissioner Casey Willits.
Willits told the board, “You have taken lumps not just from your critics, but most importantly from your supporters who you listen to when they take you to task. You don’t hide behind fake social media profiles, practicing digital blackface like some elected officials in the western portion of our county."
Several public commenters voiced their support for Rockwell before the board moved on with regular agenda items.
At the end of the meeting, Rockwell’s comments on Hogan’s death resurfaced one last time, with a woman who went by Ms. D telling the board, “There are two important dates in a person’s life, and they’re on the headstone. When you’re born and when you die. The dash in between is how you live your life. Does a person that I consider a racist change after he died? No. But what does change is what you say after the person dies. I have had a lot of loss in my life. I lost my parents, my husband, and out of twelve aunts and uncles, two are still living. Every one of them I probably had some disagreement with at some time. But if I were to go on Facebook and say something about that person who recently deceased, would it be well-received? No. Even though it may have been correct, it was not the time and the place. Yes, you do have a First Amendment right, but along with the First Amendment come responsibilities. If you decide to run, you have to be careful about what you say. Y’all know, I’ve come here three or four times telling y’all to stay off Facebook.”
