Murray City Council Wants Confederate Statue Moved

At their meeting Thursday night, the Murray City Council voted to form a committee and draw up a resolution requesting the Calloway Fiscal Court relocate the statue of Robert E. Lee on the courthouse square. 

The city government does not own the statue or the property on which it stands. The statue is owned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the property near the courthouse is owned by Calloway County. City leaders were drawn into the discussion after they were named in a public letter by Murray State University Assistant Football Coach Sherman Neal II, who demanded the statue's removal because, "it is an affront to all residents who support equality and value the American justice system."

During discussion on the matter, Councilman Danny Hudspeth asked to be the one to make the motion on a resolution, saying, "The time is now to do the right things. The time is now."

He reminded everyone of the Pledge of Allegiance the council had repeated at the beginning of their meeting,  and said they should take action so the last three words of the pledge, "Justice for all," have true meaning. 

Council member Linda Cherry noted that the Kentucky War Monument Commission says the statue cannot be altered or moved without their approval, so there may be more obstacles for Calloway Fiscal Court in moving the statue. That commission typically takes action after local governments make a decision about a monument, and city leaders were told that the commission usually follows the example of local government and helps facilitate any relocation effort.

Following discussion, the city council passed Hudspeth's motion by a unanimous vote. The resolution is expected to be ready for passage by the council at its next meeting. 

The statue was erected in 1917, which was during the height of the, "Jim Crow Era," when laws were passed to disenfranchise African-American citizens. 

West Kentucky Star has attempted to contact the United Daughters of the Confederacy for comment on the resolution.