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In the weeks that followed, however, crosses were burned on many school board members' yards, with one member, who was black, specifically targeted with a gunshot which went through his window. A human relations board member as well as a state legislator also had their homes torched. After all the retaliatory violence both at the school and in the community, the Florida National Guard was called in to patrol the school until the end of the year.
In the fall of 1976, students chose the name "Gators" after a second ballot was deemed necessary. On [[July 26]], [[1977]], the [[Wikipedia:Ku Klux Klan|Ku Klux Klan]] held a rally on the school grounds with regards to the issue, which necessitated a reorganization of the school board. The name "Gators" has been used for Escambia High's athletic teams since, without incident.
==References==