Social Justice

One member of the anti-BLM group handed out cans of wasp and insect killer and said, “It’s better than mace.”

Friday's demonstration marked the seventh straight week that opponents and supporters have faced off at the statue on the Calloway County Courthouse grounds in Murray's town square.

A native of Logan County, Alice Allison Dunnigan was the first Black woman who received press credentials to cover the White House and Congress.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.