Two Confederate statues were taken down in Memphis, and this is a huge moment
There has been much controversy — including a deadly rally — surrounding the removal of Confederate statues throughout the country in recent month. But onlookers in Tennessee cheered in near-unanimous celebration as Confederate statues were removed from two parks in Memphis.
At the first park, crews removed a statue of General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was a slave trader, a Ku Klux Klan leader, and a Confederate general. At the second park, Fourth Bluff Park, they took down a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
The city of Memphis had previously attempted to remove the monuments after the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as after the Charleston church massacre, where nine people died in a racially-motivated shooting. Protestors of the statues said they represented racism and bigotry, but city laws prevented them from being removed.
Happening in #Memphis @ the #NathanBedfordForrest statue. This is a huge step towards healing the deep racial wounds that have tried to define Memphis’ future. As a city, our greatest victories happen when we are willing to work together for a brighter Memphis. #TogetherWeCan pic.twitter.com/GJFS6ljoNN
— Senator Raumesh Akbari (@SenAkbari) December 21, 2017
On Wednesday, December 20th, the City Council voted unanimously to sell the two parks where the statues were located to Greenspace Inc. Memphis Chief Legal Officer Bruce McMullen said that Greenspace — a private company — would be able to legally remove the statues, which they did immediately. Live video footage of the process shows a strong police presence and cheering onlookers. McMullen said the statues would be stored in an undisclosed location.
Supporters of the statues, like the Sons Of Confederate Veterans in Memphis, say the moments represent an important time in history, not white supremacy. Although they say the city is breaking the law by taking them down, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland tweeted that the action was perfectly legal.
Working together, our partners on the City Council passed legislation in September to enable this sale and allowing us to sell parkland to a nonprofit for less than fair market value, which the previous ordinance did not allow.
— Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) December 21, 2017
This is an important moment in the life of our city. People from all walks of life came together to make today a reality. Let us move forward from this moment committed more than ever to a united and determined Memphis.
— Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) December 21, 2017
In a series of tweets, Mayor Strickland explained the course of action they took in removing the statues and why they made the decision to sell the parks. He also shared his pride in the city for removing Confederate statues, and urged everyone to use this as a time to come together.
