Thousands are signing onto a petition pushing for a Confederate statue in Anderson, South Carolina, to be replaced by a memorial for actor Chadwick Boseman, who was born there.
The petition, which was posted online over the weekend, has racked up more than 6,300 signatures in the past two days.
“Mr. Boseman is without question an American treasure and his accolades go on and on. It is only fitting that his work is honored in the same place that birthed him,” the petition states, adding: “As fellow citizens go about their day they should have a face that sees all people as equal. That sees all citizens regardless of outward appearance as a member of the Anderson community.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Another petition calling for the Confederate monument in the town to be moved to the Anderson County Museum and replaced with a statue of the "Black Panther" actor, who died Friday at the age of 43 after fighting colon cancer, has attracted over 740 supporters.
According to local media, the call is targeting a Confederate monument that was erected in the town in 1902. The statue, which depicts a soldier standing atop a platform, sits in front of courthouse and reads the words, “The world shall yet decide, in truth's clear, far-off light, that the soldiers who wore the gray, and died with Lee, were in the right,” according to a state website.
The statue was the subject of controversy back in June amid nationwide efforts to remove Confederate symbols as protests against racism and police brutality broke out across the nation following the death of George Floyd, The Greenville News reported then.
Local media also reported in late June that the statue was vandalized.
At the time, Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts (D) condemned the vandalism but told The Anderson Independent-Mail he planned to work with local officials to come to a solution about the monument.
Roberts also noted in his comments to the outlet then that the monument could likely be subjected to the state’s Heritage Act. The measure reportedly prohibits the removal of Confederate monuments unless two-thirds of the state legislature votes to do so.
The Hill has reached out to Roberts for comment.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/514359-thousands-sign-on-to-petition-to-replace-confederate-statue
2020-08-30 23:26:19Z
52781028958954
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Thousands sign petition to replace Confederate statue with Chadwick Boseman memorial in his hometown - The Hill"
Post a Comment