Governor Edwards Has Issues With House-approved Bill Requiring Vote To Remove Military Monument
Governor John Bel Edwards says a bill that seeks to protect Confederate Monuments from being removed, as divisive and generating animosity among legislators. The measure passed the House on Monday. Black lawmakers staunchly oppose the proposal and the governor took notice of the passion that this legislation brought out during the debate.
“It’s very sad, having served in that body for eight years but I haven’t seen anything like that. We need to come together as a people, that was not the way to do it.”
The bill filed by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody requires voter approval before local government can remove a military monument. Edwards says requiring a vote for any statue to be removed causes many problems. He says the master plan at LSU has the Troy Middleton Library being replaced.
“Well he is a war hero for both WWI and WWII. You’d have to have an election somewhere called by somebody to be able to effectuate the master plan for LSU.”
Edwards says the Confederate Monuments represent historical figures and there is a certain place for them, which should depend on the will of the people. He says if removed from their original location, the statutes should be moved to a museum where they can teach people.
“This is a very difficult issue for a lot of people, I understand that the passion runs high and while it is certainly part of our history, can we say it’s the best part?”