Confederate monument sparks protests in downtown Greenville
Travis Willmann, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Travis Willmann.
On August 26, 2017, protesters met in Greenville, S.C. in opposition and in favor for the confederate statue located at the entrance of Springwood Cemetery off North Main Street.
Groups in opposition to the statue included the group Fighting Injustice Together. According to WYFF news, in a press release, the president of Fighting Injustice Together said, “We will be asking the public to come out and support in peace as we request that Greenville City, County Government and state officials have this monument removed due to its racist premises.”
Groups in support of keeping the monument also came out and these groups included the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
According to WYFF news, Greenville police had several officers at the rally to maintain the peace between the different groups.
The rally happened without incident and no one was arrested. Both groups had a chance to voice their opinions. Those who wanted the statue removed were allowed to stand around the monument for 90 minutes and voice their opinion. After 90 minutes, Greenville police directed the two groups to switch sides. This happened without conflict.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans did not stand with either group. In a statement sent into Fox Carolina, the commander of the Second Brigade S.C. Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans said, “We are first and foremost a historical honor society dedicated to protecting and preserving the Confederate Soldiers good name.”
H. Paul Thompson, Dean of Humanities at North Greenville University, explained his viewpoint about removing the confederate monuments. He said, “My view is pretty common among historians. I think that all history should be told, not just some.”
When asked what he thought should be done with the monuments. Thompson said, “One of three things should be done. First, move the monuments to museums and interpret them with signs and placards about who, why and when they were put up in our history so that others could understand.”
“The second thing that could be done with them is leave them where they are and put up placards that explain who, why and when they were put up in our history.
“The third thing that could be done with the monuments is take a statue like Robert E. Lee and build 19 century black figures around them.”
“There is no reason to purge the monuments, we just need to educate the country,” stated Thompson.
