Minutes 07/28/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 28, 2020 the council. We watched as a man was injured during that incident. You have waited long enough and pondered long enough. The citizens have spoken through their words and actions and they have clearly communicated to you that it is past time to remove the statue. Those citizens who have some sort of fascination with the statue or who are concerned that without the statue we will have no way of learning history are misguided. The true history of this country has yet to be told, and they may go "learn" the lessons their beloved statue has to teach in a less public location, surrounded by signage that indicates the true history and purpose of the structure. Do what is right for the citizens of Portsmouth and remove the statue from the town square. Allow us to move forward in a city that promotes equality for Black citizens rather than continuously reminds them of the darkest centuries of their history. Mrs. Amanda Battle 206 Bellhaven Road 43. Voicemail "Joseph Iman .4889121 Anyway,regarding the Confederate statue it seems like Cedar Grove, would be an appropriate place as there are some confederate graves in there ...might offer some protection since it’s behind walls and It also in the gate there since the Police Isn't able to detect it. I'd also like to know why they were to city council members present when the Confederate monument was vandalized and apparently did nothing. So I wonder what these people were thinking, what the police chief was is thinking, is she not able to pursue these people and or whoever it was that encourage them to the deface the Statue and vandalize it. If she can’t do her job because she is black then she needs to go somewhere else. Thank you." "This is Joe Iman 488-9121. This is Message number two Regarding the confederate monument.. As I read in the paper. the City Council has allocated over $100,000 to move that statute and presumed that’s with the city money. Which means taxpayer money. Now, is that the case? Or is somebody else going to help pay for that? And who's going to pay for the restoration of the statue, where the vandals defaced it, damaged it, and painted it. Who's going to pay for that? Somebody needs to be held accountable. And the Police needs to find out who is. There is video taken by Wavy T V. They are still pictures, and all that happy crowd that d id all of that, somebody should be able to find who was responsible and have them kick in to pay for it. Thank you. Goodbye." 44. Voicemail This is Ron Evans, and I want to speak about item 20-188. Lets not remove, relocate or cover whats left of the monument, but instead leave it as is , warts and all as a reminder of the hate and ignorance and that two wrongs will never make a right. 45. Voicemail "Yes, my name is Evelyn Jenkins, and my phone number is 757 3341547. I'm calling in regards to the question of whether we think that the Confederate monument should be removed relocated, contextualize or covered.. And I believe that because of what the Confederate monument represents oppression and slavery, that it should be removed, thank you." 46. It’s time to settle the issue with the Confederate Monument. Any further delays will only serve to deepen the memory and anguish of an era celebrated by racism and hatred for a people in bondage. It’s not about heritage. They were built purposely to celebrate a major effort of leaders and a people who wanted to preserve their right to own and sell Blacks as slaves. It’s a memorial to that war that was fought. It’s proper place is the cemetery where the rest of the war leaders and veterans of that era and others are buried. It’s time to move forward in securing it’s rightful place without any further delays.