Parker County Commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to keep a controversial Confederate Monument in front of the county courthouse.
The roughly 100-year-old monument, which is owned by the Daughters of The Confederacy, has become a lightning rod for protests for and against its removal, including one over the weekend that turned violent.
Previously, the Daughters of The Confederacy had said they would move the monument eventually but did not currently have the funds to, but on Thursday, they reversed course.
“I feel it is time we stood up for what we believe in and so I want to at this time turn it over to the Commissioners Court, I will not move the monument unless you have a vote and tell me to move the monument,” said Daughters of The Confederacy representative Dorthy Norad.
Outside the courthouse, the ruling to keep the monument sparked a brief scuffle. Civil rights activist Tony Crawford said the decision to keep the monument sent a clear message to people of color.
“You don’t matter, your voice is so small here we don’t care what you think,” Crawford said.
Others who support the removal of the monument also believe it highlights the wrong part of Texas history.
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“I think there are a lot of things we could celebrate and honor that have more relevance to our city and its people,” said Matt Clement.
But others believe the monument, despite being constructed long after the Civil War – is history and must be preserved.
“It is there to represent the soldiers who fought for this state, this state was a confederate state and is history, you cannot change history,” said Sandra Davis.
