Press Release - August 17, 2017
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: David McCallister 813-778-12-2 Email: floridasshe@gmail.com
VICTORY IN TAMPA: CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL MAY STAY COMMISSION SAYS: "YOU WANT IT GONE...YOU WRITE THE CHECK" VETERAN PROTECTION ORDINANCE ADVANCES
Tampa - In a major victory for American Veterans and supporters, led by Save Southern Heritage - FL ("SSH FL"), the Hillsborough County Board of County Commission reversed its July 19, 2017 decision to spend only public funds to remove the War Memorial from the Old Courthouse. They also moved ahead with an ordinance to protect observances to veterans throughout the County. ​With Commissioner Crist back at the dias, after being excluded from the last discussion due to long-standing family obligation, he asked to revisit the issue. A vote ensued and the Commission decided 4-2 to keep the historic veterans memorial in place until at least half of the projected $300,000 cost to move it had been raised from private funds. Led by Commission Chairman Stacy White, the Commission voted to task the opponents of the monument to produce $140,000 in funds in 30 days, so that it would be settled once and for all and not drag out any more. "We view this as a major victory... and a 'win - win -win'" said David McCallister, spokesman for SSH FL. "The onus is now on those that want it gone to 'ante up or shut up' and we're on our way to making sure all veteran's observances are respected as they ought to be" he added. "Imaging what a nice statue to Dr. Martin Luther King the County could erect with all the money saved" McCallister added. "In addition to the money, we think the Commission may finally realize that they were on the wrong side of the issue. I doubt many of them really wanted to be on record siding with Black Lives Matter, Anti-Fa and the other radical groups and the pocket book was a good way to settle it" McCallister said. In a study of the proponents of removing the memorial, the majority had been revealed to have been from outside the County, and with ties to radical left wing groups like Black Lives Matter, Anti-Fa and Communist and Marxists organizations. "Our members and supporters believe anyone donating to this cause is Anti-Veteran and siding against them with Black Lives Matter & Co. so we're calling for a boycott of any businesses, groups or organizations that participate in paying this bounty for the head of American Veterans" McCallister added. As an example of the radicals, one of the 'take down' speakers, who the study revealed may have lied about living in Hillsborough County, wore a black "Cop Watch" tee shirt. The usual lies about why the memorial should be removed - "racist", "white supremacist", "slaveowners" were espoused but Commissioner Crist called one speaker out for his lies. Proponents of keeping the memorial pointed to the dubious affiliations of the 'take down' advocates, and showed examples of desecration of other memorials that had occurred over the past few days, including the desecration of a local veterans memorial park with blood red paint thrown on names of family members. "They really pulled out all the stops to reverse the original decision in June, this was a big win to get the reversal...Now we'll see if they're willing to put their money where their mouth is" he added. It is not settled yet, however, private donations did increase over night but the gofundme site as of 7:30 a.m. this morning is still just $17,000. Another victory today was the appointment of David McCallister SSH FL spokesman to the Hillsborough County Diversity Advisory Council. "I'm happy to be appointed and I will work to ensure all Hillsborough County residents get to sit at the table of brotherhood".
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 Erase-ism 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. Save Southern Heritage does not condone racism and as such we do not support any group or person that does. We respect the rights and privileges of all as bestowed on them by their creator and expect those in our association to respect and treat others as they themselves would wish to be treated. 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.