Rally as Confederate Statue Debate Rages

Supporters and opponents of a statute remaining on the Daviess County Courthouse lawn gathered Saturday.

Community have to say about that.

"i'm an honorary kentuckian.

When you're a son of a confederate veteran, you belong anyplace you are in the southland of america.

I come in hopes that some of these politicians that you have here in the city, the county, and the state would show the same kind of courage that the men of the south--and arguably the women--showed when our homeland was invaded.

I came because these folks continue to try to erase that place of honor that folks who look like me earn beside a man he not only called master, but he also called family and friend."

Different people-- what brings me out today is america, is freedom.

Something that most americans have forgotten what it is that they are, which is that of being an american it's time we stand up.

This is our country.

Different perspectives-- this statue has been here since 1900, it's never been an issue.

Different walks of life-- they don't my babies around here in kentucky during so- called black history month about all those black confederate soldiers who fought with general lee and his men.

Don't take down a monument that belongs as much to the black confederate soldiers using us as a weapon of choice to do so.

That monument belongs to southern folks: red yellow black white brown.

United this saturday at the daviess county courthouse--for one singular goal.

A show of support.

It's been great--we've been pushing this for several weeks, we've gotten over a thousand people facebook followers.

We've got a bunch of people sign a petition--i think it was 1300 people to save the confederate memorial.

Amid a movement sweeping across the nation--to reevaluate--and remove confederate statues that has made its way to owensboro.

A move this day at the center of town--to keep it in place amid a looming county vote for its relocation.

It's the small steps.

Because if they they go to take this, what else is it they're going to take.

They're going to take everything they can from us.

But not everyone who came out to the area of the daviess county courthouse came out in favor of the statue.

My name is sean.

Born and raised in owensboro, kentucky.

Its shameful for me to sit here in my hometown, and have people who are so proud.

I don't understand how people can be proud of that history.

Honestly i can't imagine why anybody would want to support such an event.

As a lifelong member of owensboro, kentucky, a graduate of owensboro high school, and somebody who really loves this community, iti breaks my heart to see so much hatred, and for lack of a better phrase, evil in my opinion, that has been represented here on the courthouse lawn today.

I honestly think to keep the statute up is a slap to the african american community.

To us, it's just like they don't care about us.

I think that it is just terrible.

We should be careful.

It's ignorant as well.

Because if you really care about everyone equally, that all lives matter, then you wouldn't keep that statue up there.

Daviess county leaders--will continue discussing the statue with the community-- ahead of a planned vote august 6--to decide the the monument's fate.

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