The debate, not only in Paris but nationwide, over whether to keep or remove Confederate statues has simmered long before the current protests.
However, with protests nationwide to once again remove them in the wake of the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd, a group of Paris residents has also started petitioning to remove the Confederate statue outside the Lamar County courthouse.
“It’s time to lean forward to unity, caring, and respect rather than leaning backward to white supremacy. If you’re concerned with history, move it to the Maxey House Confederate Museum but it needs to be moved from the Lamar County Courthouse. It’s time to consider All people, not just one segment,” said Paris resident Brenda Cherry online.
The monument, which sits on Lamar County Courthouse grounds and it is made up of four Confederate leaders and one Confederate soldier, has been in the same location since 1903. It features the faces of Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston, and Jefferson Davis all topped by a statue of a Confederate soldier. Underneath, a sign reads “Our Heroes.”
In 2017, a push to relocate the statue drew national attention, however, with a 2-2 tie vote in Commissioners Court the motion failed and the monument stayed.
Now, after a third peaceful protest in downtown Paris on Wednesday evening that moved to the courthouse, protesters are again calling for the statue to be relocated.
In an online petition, organizers said, “Currently, across the United States, Americans are initiating discussions concerning the injustices and inconsistencies that people of color and minorities often face. Our town has the opportunity to be an example of justice and equality now, utilizing the current platform to take action. It is evident in American history, even in local history, that action for this cause should be taken with utmost sensitivity and care. Minority residents of Paris deserve to be heard and considered in what represents ethical treatment and fairness in their community. This includes consideration of what symbols they find hurtful and devaluing,” said petition organizers.
“With this being said, we the people of Lamar County request the relocation of the Confederate statue currently located on the yard of the Lamar County Courthouse. The courthouse, a symbol of justice, should not specifically be highlighting the values of the Confederacy, which is long-outdated and no longer representative of modern values and ideals. A lot of local citizens are confused and appalled by the message that it sends. The American Justice system was created to represent equality and fairness. What once was meant to represent the townspeople, now only represents a dark history that we have worked so hard to progress from. While studying and observing our history is of utmost importance, it is also imperative that the opportunity to learn and observe said history is done so in the appropriate manner and in the appropriate space.”
According to the online petition, they (petition organizers) are asking for a compromise regarding the location of “this beacon of history” that will suit the concerns of all parties.
“We respect the right to display Confederate memorabilia on private property. We hope you will find this request to be only of the best intentions and in the highest regard for our community and the citizens that represent it, as we are choosing to either participate in a movement for equality and justice or lag behind in promoting the ethical standards of our nation for our minority family.”
The petition, which was addressed to Mayor Dr. Steve Clifford and Lamar County Commissioners Court, aims to reach 200 signatures with 122 already having signed the petition at the time of press.
Neither, Judge Bell nor Mayor Clifford could be reached for comment at the time of press.
