In a crowded chamber with standing room only, the Escambia County Commission voted 3 to 2 Thursday evening to replace references to the Gulf of Mexico with Gulf of America in all future county ordinances.
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The vote followed a lengthy and emotional public hearing, where dozens of residents, activists, and local leaders filled the room to speak. According to the county’s published agenda, the hearing was held “to consider adopting an ordinance to change references in the Escambia County Code of Ordinances from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.”…