Officials in Decatur, Georgia, are following through on their promise to remove a Confederate monument that has long been viewed as problematic and unsafe for the city’s Black residents. 

According to Fox News, a statue honoring the late Congressman John Lewis has been installed, replacing “The Lost Cause,” a 30-foot-tall confederate monument that had stood in Decatur Square since 1908. The original monument was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in the same year the Georgia legislature ratified an amendment aimed at disenfranchising African American voters. 

According to the report, the new bronze statue, created by renowned sculptor Basil Watson, now stands in front of the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse, precisely where the contentious Confederate monument stood for over 110 years before its removal in 2020.

“It’s exciting to see it going up and exciting for the city because of what he represents and what it’s replacing,” Watson told Fox News of his historic creation that took four years of planning to design and create. 

Georgia has replaced a confederate monument with a bronze statue of civil rights leader John Lewis #NOH8 pic.twitter.com/3dn7rXcZEZ

— NOH8 Campaign (@NOH8Campaign) August 17, 2024

 

John Lewis’ legacy.

Officials in Decatur could not have made a more fitting choice. Lewis, who served Georgia’s 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 until he died in 2020, was a revered civil rights leader who devoted his life to advancing equal rights and justice for marginalized communities. Among his many enduring legacies is the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The crucial legislation aims to strengthen voting rights by expanding governmental oversight to address discriminatory practices like voter suppression. It proposes new criteria requiring preclearance from the Department of Justice or a U.S. District Court for any changes that could affect voting rights.

 

The statute was ordered to be removed by Judge Clarence Seeliger in 2020.

In June 2020, Judge Clarence Seeliger ordered the removal of “The Lost Cause” in response to widespread protests demanding justice and police reform following George Floyd’s death. The decision also came after a complaint from Decatur’s city attorney, who argued that the 30-foot obelisk had become a public safety hazard amidst ongoing protests against racism and police violence.

Seeliger’s ruling highlighted that the monument had become a frequent target of graffiti and vandalism, serving as a lightning rod for local tensions and posing a potential risk if people attempted to forcibly remove or destroy it. Despite Georgia state law prohibiting the relocation or alteration of publicly owned Confederate monuments, the judge deemed the removal an essential step to address the public nuisance and ensure the monument’s safety.

“In short, the Confederate obelisk has become an increasingly frequent target of graffiti and vandalism, a figurative lightning rod for friction among citizens, and a potential catastrophe that could happen at any time if individuals attempt to forcibly remove or destroy it,” the judge penned. 

As highlighted by GPB, coincidentally the Lost Cause statute was removed on the heels of Juneteenth, the historic day in 1864 when slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom. As the monument was dismantled, it was carefully lifted from its base using straps while onlookers, chanting “Just drop it!” were kept at a safe distance by sheriff’s deputies. 

Peaceful and celebratory tone tonight as the first part of Decatur’s confederate monument is dismantled. ⁦@cbs46⁩ pic.twitter.com/GF2RhzCWB2

— Karen Araiza (@KAraiza) June 19, 2020

Republicans are probably not pleased.

Republicans are likely displeased with the recent developments, as they’ve long opposed the removal of Confederate statues. In June, 192 House Republicans supported restoring a Confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetery, which had been taken down in Dec. 2023. The statue offensively depicted a Black woman caring for a white child.

Fortunately, the Democratic majority, along with 24 Republicans who opposed the restoration, voted down the amendment to reinstall the monument with a 230-192 vote. This overwhelming support from GOP members for the monument’s return underscores their stance on the issue.

The vote received pushback from Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia), who introduced the amendment, and described the memorial as “a powerful symbol of the healing and unification of our nation after the deep divisions of the Civil War.” However, this characterization is contentious given the monument’s controversial nature.

SEE ALSO:

‘Be Hopeful’: Where The John Lewis Voting Rights Act Stands After Legendary Congressman’s Death

Tennessee Republican Withdraws Bill To Rename Part Of ‘John Lewis Way’ After Donald Trump

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