Part five. Hosted on Facebook Page:Liberty Place Battle 1874.
In July 2015, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu asked the City Council to begin a process to remove three monuments to US Veterans of the Mexican-American and Civil Wars and a monument to eleven police officers who died in 1874 defendingthe Louisiana Governor's Administration which consisted of C.C. Antoine, an African-American Lt. Governor.
In December,Mayor Landrieuannounced he did not know where removal process would end. New Orleans has over 250 monuments.
One group,"Take "em Down NOLA," is requesting numerous other monuments be removed.
Numerous surveys have shown the majority of those responding do not agree with the Mayor's and City Councilto remove the four monuments.
Three monuments are to West Point Engineering Graduateswho were instrumental in Reconstruction of the South, proposed desegregation of schoolsand were involved in developing the Rail Lines of America's Transportation System, among other achievements.
During Public comments, citizens representing various Landmark and Historical Non-Profits spoke in favor of apopular vote on the issues or posting more detailed plaques describing the individuals. Their plans were not reviewed.
Council Member Stacey Head's motions to calling for a town wide vote or plaques, failed for lack ofseconds.
In a survey done by WDSU-TV,the following week after the Council Vote, 97% did not agree with the Majority Vote of the Council.
Reasons stated in public comments as to the opposition to the Council Vote include:
1. No plan to return the monuments to public view.
2. No funds to return the monumentsto public view.
3. No place to return the monuments to public view.
3. The selection process. The Council is leaving some monuments standing, which should be evaluated for racism, such as one to veterans who fought in the American Indian Wars in the late 1800s. ThoseWars took land from American Indians.
4. Refusing to discuss placing more descriptive content on themonuments toeducate on the positive achievements of the entire lives of the initial three Veterans, whichMayor Landrieu seeks to remove.
5. Removing what is likely millions of dollars of Art and an integral part of the tourism industry of New Orleans.
6. Inconsistencies in logic for removal, as not all are wearing uniforms and the details of their past positions.
PGT Beauregard served in the US Army from 1834-1861 and the Louisiana National Guard from 1879-1988. Those arguing for removal ofhis 100 year old monumentcite to the fact he is depicted in a Confederate Uniformas opposed to US Army or Louisiana National Guard uniform. In 1873 he became the spokesperson for the Unification Movement and desegregation of schools and transportation.
Robert E. Lee served in the US Army from 1829-1861 and as President of Washington University from 1865-1870.
Lee's name was added to the University following his death. Lee wrote to his wife inan 1856 letter, "... In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution, is a moral & political evil in any Country."
Lee's monument is in a Confederate Uniform.
Jefferson Davis' Monument depicts Davis in suit. Davis was a US Senator from 1857-1861, US Secretary of War from 1853-1857, and served in the US Army from 1825-1835 and 1846-1847.
Jefferson Davis and his brother educated and allowed captive Africansto retain money earned commercially. Theyfinanced the acquisition of their plantation to partnership of former slaves lead by Benjamin Montgomery, who they had applied for an irrigation patent with in 1858.
A lawsuit with twelve causes of action has been filed by four non-profits.
Council Members have 30 days after a vote to announce a desire to re-considera vote.
