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Historic Properties Advisory Commission Votes To Oust Davis Statue From State Capitol

Karyn Czar

The Historic Properties Advisory Commission has voted to remove a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from Kentucky's Capitol to Fairview, Kentucky, his birthplace.

The vote took place in a meeting that was held via video teleconference. The motion passed in an 11-1 vote.

Cathy Thomas, the only African American on the panel, characterized the statue as a hurtful monument to White Supremacy.

Brandon Wilson was the sole member to vote against the motion. He moved that the panel vote to remove all statues from the Capitol building, saying they will always be divisive.

Wilson’s motion was denied as the meeting was focused solely on the removal of the Jefferson Davis statue, but it could be considered at another time.

Statement from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear:

“Today has been a historic day in the Commonwealth. Pursuant to my request, the Historic Properties Advisory Commission met and, in a bipartisan vote, voted to remove the Jefferson Davis statue from our Rotunda. It was past time for this vote and for this action. But what it will mean is that we get a little closer to truly being Team Kentucky – that every child who walks into this Capitol feels welcome, and none of them have to look at a symbol and a statue that stands for the enslavement of their ancestors. Today is a move toward showing that everybody is welcome in this building and that our government should work for the betterment of every single Kentuckian – that we have systematic issues that we must address, but that now is the time to truly move forward, to truly make progress and to show that Team Kentucky includes every single Kentuckian.” —Governor Andy Beshear

You can watch a video statement from Gov. Beshear here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdlw6KcD6XM

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