Murray State Supports Relocation of Lee Statue

Murray State University says it supports the relocation of the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on the grounds of the Calloway County Courthouse.

Murray State Executive Director of Marketing and Communication Shawn Touney told West Kentucky Star Friday afternoon the university is in agreement with the Murray City Council, whose members voted unanimously on June 11 to draft a resolution formally requesting that the Calloway Fiscal Court relocate the statue.

"Murray State University, like the City of Murray, firmly supports the relocation of the statue. The university has no jurisdiction over this matter, and ultimately this is a decision of the Calloway County Fiscal Court." Touney said.

At a Wednesday Fiscal Court meeting, Calloway County Judge-Executive Kenny Imes and commissioners took no action on the matter, citing numerous legal hurdles that must be overcome before the statue can be relocated. Imes said the public response to the issue has been overwhelming, with more than 500 calls per day coming into the courthouse. He added that he plans to call a public meeting in the near future to discuss the matter further.

The monument, erected in 1917 during the height of the Jim Crow era, honors county residents who fought for the South in the Civil War. It is owned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.