The statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis at Fourth Bluff Park in downtown Memphis was taken down Wednesday, Dec. 21. Video by Daniel Connolly/ The Commercial Appeal
House lawmakers on Tuesday approved a last-minute amendment to remove $250,000 allocated to the city of Memphis as punishment for the removal of Confederate monuments.
The amendment, which was approved with a 56-31 vote, was introduced as a result of Memphis officials’ decision to remove two controversial statues on public property last year.
After being denied a waiver by the state Historical Commission to remove the statues, Memphis sold two public parks in December to a nonprofit, which then removed statues of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford
and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Rep. Steve McDaniel, R-Parkers Crossroads, who has been an outspoken advocate for the preservation of historical monuments, sponsored the amendment.
"What this amendment does is it removes $250,000 from the budget that is designated to go to the city of Memphis for their bicentennial celebration," he said on the House floor. "If you recall, back in December, Memphis did something that removed historical markers in the city. It was the city of Memphis that did this, and it was full knowing it was not the will of the legislature."
During Tuesday's floor session, Democrats argued the amendment was vindictive. Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, called it the most "vile, racist" effort he had seen and said Republicans viewed Forrest "as if he was God."
Rep. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, called the amendment "un-Christian."
"This amendment and the explanation is hateful, it is unkind, it is un-Christian and it is unfair," she said. "Memphis is a city in this state, and I am sick of people in this House acting like it’s not."
But Republicans members in the House were unswayed.
Defending the amendment, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, argued that "bad actions" have "bad consequences."
House lawmakers on Tuesday approved a last-minute amendment to remove $250,000 allocated to the city of Memphis as punishment for the removal of Confederate monuments.
The amendment, which was approved with a 56-31 vote, was introduced as a result of Memphis officials’ decision to remove two controversial statues on public property last year.
After being denied a waiver by the state Historical Commission to remove the statues, Memphis sold two public parks in December to a nonprofit, which then removed statues of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford
and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Rep. Steve McDaniel, R-Parkers Crossroads, who has been an outspoken advocate for the preservation of historical monuments, sponsored the amendment.
"What this amendment does is it removes $250,000 from the budget that is designated to go to the city of Memphis for their bicentennial celebration," he said on the House floor. "If you recall, back in December, Memphis did something that removed historical markers in the city. It was the city of Memphis that did this, and it was full knowing it was not the will of the legislature."
During Tuesday's floor session, Democrats argued the amendment was vindictive. Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, called it the most "vile, racist" effort he had seen and said Republicans viewed Forrest "as if he was God."
Rep. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, called the amendment "un-Christian."
"This amendment and the explanation is hateful, it is unkind, it is un-Christian and it is unfair," she said. "Memphis is a city in this state, and I am sick of people in this House acting like it’s not."
But Republicans members in the House were unswayed.
Defending the amendment, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, argued that "bad actions" have "bad consequences."
I am a Canadian, but I think this action is justified. One cannot change History by removing Statues, Art, Depictions, Film, Books or any other form of expression.
ReplyDeleteIf someone is 'offended' then they have the Right to state their version of what the think or feel about an Historical figure or event.
Eradicating such images is an affront to Art and will not change History. In fact, these kind of actions will hurt the very 'causes' some people might have by removing an object and an opportunity of discussion.
Some people just don't get it. Freedom doesn' entail just hiding stuff away or eredicating things that a Minority object to. It means discussing and learning, something Hivist Communist Snowflake "Justice Warriors" hate and will have nothing to do with.
excellent.
ReplyDelete