ACLU-VA Calls for Removal of Confederate Monuments and Memorials

[Yonnie3]

Source: WVIR TV

The ACLU of Virginia has issued the following statement regarding Confederate monuments and memorials in the Commonwealth:

"Virginia’s monuments and memorials to Confederate war figures must go."

"Regardless of origin or historical context, today they are inciteful symbols of hatred and bigotry to which white supremacists are drawn like moths to a flame. The repulsive vitriol and penchant for violence of such individuals and groups are unwelcome in Virginia, and our communities should be able to decide for themselves that they no longer wish to harbor those symbols and invite future threats to public safety."

"This will be easier said than done. Here are the actions the ACLU of Virginia believes are necessary, and for which processes should be initiated immediately:

Read more: http://www.nbc29.com/story/36176397/aclu-va-calls-for-removal-of-confederate-monuments-and-memorials

[riversedge]

1. Get it done!

[Yonnie3]

2. This is the ACLU that forced last Saturday's demonstration into downtown Charlottesville,

rather than the 100 acre park offered. I can't say for sure things would have gone better there, but downtown Charlottesville was an accident waiting to happen. Even as badly as it went, it was not as bad as it could have been.

I'm glad that they have had a change of heart, but it was at the cost of human life and health.

[paleotn]

3. That's interesting.

today they are insightful symbols of hatred and bigotry

Granted, but live Nazis and klansmen spouting hate in order to intimidate is protected free speech? That simply doesn't compute.

[Yonnie3]

4. That bothers me too.

If there was no Lee statue in Emancipation (formerly Lee) park, the ACLU wouldn't have had the argument that the racist's free speech needed to be in that park.

The statues are only there because we, the citizens, permit it. If there are laws that prevent the removal, they can be repealed. I think that it would be difficult, but not impossible, to get this change through the present Virginia General Assembly.

Can we move from demonstrations to political action?