TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Hundreds of pastors and faith leaders from across the state are headed to Tallahassee Wednesday to protest against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to block the new AP African American studies course.

The rally, dubbed “A Rally to Save our History,’’ will be led by Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network.

Faith leaders from all over the state are expected to join at the rally that’s scheduled to start late Wednesday morning.

What You Need To Know

  • Faith leaders to protest against DeSantis plan to block new AP African-American studies course

  • “A Rally to Save our History,’’ will be led by Rev. Al Sharpton in Tallahassee Wednesday

  • Andy Oliver, head pastor at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, is participating in the rally

  • RELATED STORY: Educators react to Gov.'s efforts to reconsider AP courses

Andy Oliver, head pastor at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, is joining the group at the state capitol Wednesday.

“My two boys are both in public school. It is important to me that they have the opportunity to take an AP African American studies class so that they can know the mistakes of our past and do better moving forward. These are stories that we have to know,” he explained.

Oliver said that he’s going on his own accord. He feels that the country is so divided right now and it’s time for people to stand up for one another.

“It is time for all of us to stand up and to use our voice,” he said. “There was a pastor in the Holocaust that reminded us that when different groups are targeted and we don’t stand up, eventually it’s going to be our turn and there will be no one left to stand up for us.”

DeSantis blocked the course earlier this year. State education officials say it lacked educational value and violates state law.

When asked about the course Monday, DeSantis said he’s reevaluating the state’s relationship with the College Board altogether.

“Are there other people who provide services? Turns out there are. IB courses…they’re actually more rigorous than AP and the colleges accept it,” he said. “So Florida students are going to have that ability, that is not going to be diminished, and in fact we’re going to continue to work to expand it. But it’s not clear to me that this particular operator is the one that’s going to be needed to be used in the future.”

Wednesday's rally will start at 11 a.m. with a march from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and end at the Old Florida State Capitol.