Lee County Supervisors Take No Action On Request To Move Confederate Monument

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The Confederate memorial at the Lee County courthouse will stay in place.

During the regular meeting of the Lee County Board of Supervisors, Board President Tommy Lee Ivy made a motion to move the monument.  But the motion did not get a second, so no vote was taken.

Last month, supervisors were asked to move the monument by a group called “Move It Again Lee County.’

People on both sides of the issue were at the meeting and spoke out about the failed motion.

“It sends a mixed signal, for one it gives hope, so since they have not voted, it means we can keep pushing, keep bringing this to the table until they absolutely make a vote , two, I think I’m very disappointed in the supervisors for not showing any effort and not having the courage to stand up and fight for what they believe,” said Leah Davis, with ‘Move It Again Lee County.’

“Racism is in the heart, it’s not in a monument, not a flag, if you could , if taking that monument down, if moving that monument would end racism today, I guarantee you, everyone, all the groups that represent that monument would be one hundred percent for it,” said Scott McDonald with “Confederates United Patriots Society.’

The monument was erected in 1906 by the Sons of the Confederacy and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.  It was originally at the intersection of Main and Broadway, but was moved in the mid 1930s to the courthouse.