WILLEMSTAD – A public petition has been launched in Curaçao calling for a name change of the newly opened residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities. The building is currently set to be named "Kas Amerigo Thodé", after the late politician Amerigo Thodé, a former member of the MFK party who passed away in 2023. 

However, the decision has sparked public backlash, especially on social media, where critics argue that the name fails to reflect the purpose and values of the facility. 

Former politician Omayra Leeflang is among the voices criticizing the government’s decision. She described the move as a missed opportunity, suggesting that the building should instead be named after Aminta Sprockel, a pioneering advocate in Curaçao for the rights of people with disabilities and a local trailblazer in the care of individuals with Down syndrome. 

“A leader should not think about themselves or their friends, but about the public good,” Leeflang stated. She emphasized that Sprockel's decades-long dedication and social impact deserve formal recognition. 

The controversy has gained traction online, and supporters of the name change have initiated a petition to honor Aminta Sprockel instead. The movement aims to ensure that the facility's name reflects the legacy of compassion and advocacy that Sprockel embodied. 

The government has not yet responded to the growing calls for reconsideration.