John Wayne Airport in Orange County is to be renamed in the wake of the racism debate in the United States.
John Wayne Airport in Orange County, in the expanded catchment area of the US metropolis of Los Angeles, may be renamed. The local Democrats have made a corresponding proposal, on which the responsible district board must now vote. It is suggested that the airport – as originally – only be called Orange County Airport. In 1979 the airport was renamed John Wayne Airport after the conservative actor passed away in the same year.
The renaming is to take place in the wake of the racism debate in the USA. The Democrats' motion goes on to say that several renaming has been requested in the past because of the Western star's views. The Democrats specifically refer to an interview by John Wayne (1907-1979), who was awarded the Oscar for "Der Marshall" (1970). According to the film star in 1971 in conversation with the US edition of "Playboy" stated, among other things, that he believed in a superiority of the white ("white supremacy").
The Democrats condemn "John Wayne's racist and bigoted statements," it said. This is why it is requested to give the airport its original name and to remove a bronze statue of the artist, which was placed there after the renaming in a terminal. The "Los Angeles Times" had already called in February 2019 to rename John Wayne Airport. Accordingly, a renaming was already discussed in 2008.