HK Edgerton visiting Memorial on his 2016 Southern Cross Revival March
Gainesville - Ignoring the voice of the voters, the Alachua Co. Commission caved to the cultural Marxists including “Anti-fa”, “Black Lives Matter”, “white-guilters” and a new entrant, the “Uhuru” movement, and feigned “Southerners” in a sad display of ignorance and hate last night by voting 4-1 to purge the War Memorial from County property.
“Turn this thing into rubble”, “it’s a symbol of white supremacy” and “more Southern blood should have been shed” were some of the rants offered by the ‘take it downers’ who offered ‘Peace”, “inclusiveness” and “unity” as justification in supporting Commissioner Byerly’s motion to box up the War Memorial and get rid of it as “surplus property”. “It’s already been a hundred years…his time is up” said one individual, who demanded that the War memorial be moved in 60 days. “The protesters didn’t sound ‘inclusive’ to me – they sound exclusive” said Save Southern Heritage – FL spokesman David McCallister.
The ‘take it downers’ were primarily young white UF students wearing black – many who were interviewed earlier and attesting to being anarchists that opposed any jurisdictional authority or rule of law.
The irony was not lost on Melanie Barr, who spoke on behalf of a black resident, Lizzie Jenkins, whose family survived the Rosewood massacre. “She opposes moving the Memorial” said Barr. Ms. Barr also wondered “if black residents of Alachua County are so upset, why aren’t they at the meeting calling for its removal”.
Despite receiving piles of messages from his constituents to keep the Memorial, Commissioner “Chuck” Chestnut admitted it was hard to do his job….i.e. voting his obvious personal resentments instead of the will of the voters. I
Indeed, the Commission voted against the will of the people. A scientific poll, commissioned by Save Southern Heritage – FL showed that the vast majority of Alachua County voters favored keeping the Memorial.
The Commission also ignored the recommendations of both its two advisory boards - the Veterans Services Advisory Board and the Alachua County Historical Commission, the County.
“It’s really a slap in the face to veterans. Earlier in the day the Commission issued a proclamation for Memorial day, and not even a day later they want a veterans memorial hauled off their property like taking out the trash” said McCallister
According to Carl Smarts, Assistant County Manager for Public Safety and Community Support Services, there are 14 free standing Veterans Memorials on Alachua County property. “This memorial, when removed will purge 14% of them – Veterans should be outraged” said David McCallister.
Al Stone and several other proponents of keeping the War Memorial were also concerned about the anti-veteran stance the Commission would be taking if they moved the Memorial. Seber Newsome, III, a veteran himself had a run in with one of the ‘take it downers’ prior to the meeting.
Reports are that at least three “Anti-fa” protesters were arrested for spitting on Memorial supporters. “It reminds me of the peace movement of the 60’s. The returning veterans were spit on who those who said they were for love and peace but who were hypocrites” said McCallister. History is repeating itself here and now” he added.
“We do thank Commissioner Pinkoson for recognizing the Memorial for what it is a Memorial for “dead veterans” said McCallister.
"The ISIS-Like purge of historical veteran’s memorials in New Orleans made national news and has shocked and outraged Floridians – it’s not surprising that many, including students, are upset” said McCallister. “Hate engenders hate” he added.
HK Edgerton, former NAACP President from Asheville, NC who had visited the Commission and met personally with Commissioner Chestnut said “I can’t even fathom that those four men would vote to move that memorial – that is a cowardly act. The sons and daughters have been too nice. We are at war in America…total war has been declared and we need to call it like it is” he added.
Multiple national public opinion polls over decades continue to show that most Americans do not view symbols of the Confederate States of America, like the flag, as symbols of hate - but just history. But that didn’t deter the opponents seeking to set precedent and start the dominoes of removal of other Confederate-related memorials.
“They’re not going to stop with this Memorial – they already asked about taking down the plaque on the building wall with the names of the Confederate Veterans from Alachua County on it” observed McCallister.
“The Commission ignored opinion polls, ignored their advisors, succumbed to the heckler’s veto – and disrespected veterans in the process. It would have been the responsible thing to do to put it to a vote” concluded McCallister.
SAVE SOUTHERN HERITAGE Inc. is a 501 c (4) public welfare corporation that educates & advocates on behalf of Southern Heritage & History. It was started in 2015 in response to the knee-jerk Anti-Southern institutionalized bullying and “Eraseism” levied against the people of South Carolina by Governor Nikki Haley, after she broke all previous agreements about how South Carolina’s historical veterans and their symbols should be treated and respected. The Florida branch was activated in mid-January 2016, in response to three initiatives in the Florida Legislature that are part of a hate campaign led by Anti-American extremists, who refuse to respect the various cultures that make up the fabric of Florida’s society. Since that time, it has grown in membership and has been active in Heritage battles throughout Florida including the “We’ll Remember in November Campaign” that resulted in #heritagehater candidates to loose elections in Florida. More info: www.sshfl.org.
XXX