Social Justice Archives

Calloway Co. Fiscal Court passes resolution keeping Confederate monument by county courthouse

by Liam Niemeyer
July 15, 2020

County leadership at their monthly meeting said their decision does not prevent future action and discussion on the monument, yet advocates calling for the removal and relocation of the monument say the resolution is a “disappointment.”

As Jefferson Davis site at Fairview prepares to receive statue, not everyone supports relocation

by Rhonda Miller
July 7, 2020

Some civil rights advocates are concerned that locating the statue at the historic site won’t add to a fair representation of Kentucky’s past — or present. A date has not been set to move the statue to Fairview.

Armed group organized by Kentucky National Guard member not present for anti-racism protest

by Graham Ambrose
June 27, 2020

Several BLM protesters carried firearms on Saturday including rifles, shotguns and pistols. It was the first time WFPL reporters had seen protesters armed with long guns at Jefferson Square Park. One protester, who declined to be named, carried a loaded AR-15.

As advocates call for Confederate memorial removal, Calloway Co. judge-executive says there’s no timeline for removal

by Liam Niemeyer
June 26, 2020

The judge-executive issued a statement saying the county “remains committed” to addressing concerns regarding the Robert E. Lee statue within the bounds of the law.

Kentucky National Guard member organizing armed counter-protest Saturday in Louisville

by Jared Bennett
June 26, 2020

Eli Eaton identifies himself as the creator of the Facebook group and organizer of the march. Eaton’s LinkedIn account lists his occupation as a member of the Kentucky National Guard, as did his Facebook account, which has been deleted this week.

Lynch, Tribble sign Juneteenth proclamation

by Julia Hunter
June 19, 2020

While there have long been calls to institute Juneteenth as a federal holiday, the movement has taken on renewed significance in the wake of the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25.

Murray State issues official position on removing Confederate memorial at Calloway County Courthouse

by Liam Niemeyer
June 17, 2020

The university's statement follows calls from academic departments and others affiliated with MSU to remove the Confederate memorial.

MSU’s History Department demanding removal of Confederate memorial from Calloway Courthouse grounds

by Hannah Bullard
June 15, 2020

Previously, the university's English and Philosophy Department and an assistant football coach also wrote letters to the county judge-executive requesting the removal of the memorial.

English and Philosophy Department at Murray State urges county to remove Confederate memorial outside courthouse

by Sydni Anderson
June 12, 2020

Professor Timothy Johns said he’s had black students who may feel like “second-class citizens” after seeing the statue on the square. He said the statue is also offensive to black soldiers who are willing to die for their country.

Gov. Beshear calls for removal of Robert E. Lee statue on grounds of Calloway County Courthouse

by Dalton York
June 9, 2020

Murray State University Assistant Football Coach Sherman Neal first called for the monument's removal in a June 1 open letter to county and Murray city leadership.

Larger group than expected turns out in Marshall County to protest killings of unarmed black Americans

by Liam Niemeyer
June 6, 2020

Benton Police Chief Stephen Sanderson said law enforcement asked a group of 2nd Amendment advocates, who had planned to attend the protest out of fears local businesses would get looted, to set up a couple blocks away from the protest. Those advocates were mostly out of view from the protest on the courthouse square.

Man assaults protestors with spray during second day of Murray protests

by WKMS
June 3, 2020

A video posted to social media shows a man assaulting protesters with a chemical spray during an evening march on June 2 in Murray in a second day of protests in the city related to the recent killings of unarmed black people across the country.