Overflow crowd erupts in cheers as Lexington council votes to move statues
An overflow crowd erupted in cheers as Lexington’s Urban County Council voted unanimously Thursday night to approve a controversial proposal to relocate two Confederate statues from the historic courthouse lawn downtown.
The crowd had filled the council chambers, overflow rooms, the government center lobby — and spilled onto the sidewalk outside — as the council listened to testimony from the public and prepared to vote.
Following recent violence in Charlottesville, Va., the debate in Lexington has generated national interest and attention.
Read the full story on the council’s vote here.
Here are highlights from the council meeting, and the reaction to the council’s vote:
The crowd reacts after the unanimous decision is read to move two confederate era statues from downtown. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/NpNddGi2jb
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 18, 2017
The crowd inside Urban Fayette County Government Center applauding the unanimous vote to relocate the statues. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/yHViYk0ZbO
— Marcus Dorsey (@mdorseymedia) August 18, 2017
DeBraun Thomas, of Take Back Cheapside reacts after the the council 15-0 to move two Confederate-era statues from downtown. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/Sz1KLrQbSS
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 18, 2017
Lexington Council votes unanimously to move statues. Gray has 30 days to return to the council with a new home for the statues.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
Council chamber erupts with applause as people get on their feet after the unanimous vote.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
Lisa Adkins of Blue Grass Community Foundation says fund to move the statues has been established at foundation.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
Gray says two donors have stepped forward to pay to move the statues.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
"They would not leave," the woman said. "They did not abide by their permit. They did what they wanted."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
One woman from Louisville says that she was in Charlottesville; when alt-right attacked counter-protestors.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
One speaker suggests that the two statues be placed "in the pit" or CentrePointe in downtown Lexington.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 18, 2017
Demonstrators gather along Main Street to show their support for moving two Confederate statues from downtown Lexington. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/lSI765Dbc5
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 18, 2017
State Rep. Kelly Flood tells council "if we keep one another's back right now ... our beautiful, beautiful Bluegrass will support us." ^JS
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) August 18, 2017
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray was interviewed on PBS NewsHour this evening about his decision to move Confederate statues. ^JC
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) August 17, 2017
Lots of people outside of city government building on Main Street with "Take Back Cheapside" signs. People honking as they drive by.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
"Waiting to do the right thing by moving these statues has endangered our community," woman tells council. ^JS
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) August 17, 2017
"We cannot erase history and we don't want to. What we want to do is respect those who are here," woman tells council.
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) August 17, 2017
"I understand that by standing here tonight I am putting a target on my head," woman who wants statues moved tells city council. ^JS
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) August 17, 2017
Mayor @JimGrayLexKY on @VICE News Tonight talking about Confederate monuments. pic.twitter.com/mHI2QiJPAF
— Rich Copley (@copiousnotes) August 17, 2017
Some speakers are receiving large applause outside of the chamber, which can be faintly heard within. @heraldleader
— Marcus Dorsey (@mdorseymedia) August 17, 2017
Carla Blanton of Commerce Lexington said the chamber wants the statues moved. Lexington should be "open and welcoming" to all people.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Crowd outside city hall chants "No Nazis in Lex" and "Take them down."
— HLpublicsafety (@HLpublicsafety) August 17, 2017
"You don't know where you are going to move them," said Burl McCoy. "You don't know how much it is going to cost."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
"I reject the idea that they were put up there to frighten blacks," said Burl McCoy. Hunt Morgan "was a leader of men."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Sam Flora of the Sons of Confederate Veterans said he felt that an additional monument of a black soldier was appropriate.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Crowd outside City Hall cheers when passing vehicles honk their horns. pic.twitter.com/YuvIKsMT91
— HLpublicsafety (@HLpublicsafety) August 17, 2017
Large crowd is gathered outside City Hall because the building is at capacity. pic.twitter.com/xQ1hAMwD2x
— HLpublicsafety (@HLpublicsafety) August 17, 2017
City Hall is at capacity. People watching on televisions in lobby and on balcony. pic.twitter.com/IOG4wyF1l2
— HLpublicsafety (@HLpublicsafety) August 17, 2017
A second man said he doesn't want the statues to move but said they should add a statue of black Union soldier.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
One man said Breckinridge tried to save black soldiers. The Civil War was not just about "slavery," he said. "It was a war for independence"
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Thomas said his great-great grandfather was sold at Cheapside. He eventually bought a farm.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
"The eyes of the country are on us," Thomas said. "We won't stand for the ugliness that may or may not be coming to this town."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
DeBraun Thomas, who co-founded Take Back Cheapside, told council he has received threats against his life.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
With city council chambers full people watch public comment on a tv in the hallway ahead of tonight's vote. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/okSkieh9Xc
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 17, 2017
"Their only claim to fame is treason against this country," said one woman of Breckinridge and Hunt Morgan.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
So far all the speakers have spoken in favor of moving the statues of Hunt Morgan and Breckinridge.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Emily Mosley said the statues were erected as monuments to white supremacy. "Right now is our time and your time to do the right thing."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Mayor Jim Gray speaks to the crowd ahead of tonight's vote to move two confederate statues from downtown Lexington. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/kkWPJV7MIX
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 17, 2017
Nancy Jo Kemper said her uncle was a captain in Hunt Morgan's army. He was no hero. "He was a terrorist."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Gray tells crowd each speaker limited to 3 minutes. Council rules do not allow for applause -- whatever point of view -- in the chamber.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
We have been contacted by a donor who is willing to pay to move the statues, Gray said to applause.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
The two statues stand on the same ground on one of the largest slave markets in the South, Gray said.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Relocating the statues is not hiding or sanitizing history, Gray said. We need an honest accounting of history.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
"We don't choose the time to stand up and speak out; the time chooses us," Gray said. "Our city has been working on this for 2 years now."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
"Cities have recognized the need to stand up and tell the truth," Gray said. "We must be adults today. Enough. is. Enough."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
The line to get in Lexington city hall wrapped around the building at 6 p.m. ^JS pic.twitter.com/CvaLIQvpGk
— Bluegrass Politics (@BGPolitics) August 17, 2017
Mayor Jim Gray and the city council take their seats ahead of tonight's vote to move two Confederate statutes from downtown. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/QH9iZFvqrF
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 17, 2017
The line stretches onto Main Street as people make their way into the government center building for today's meeting. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/FabIk9MFY5
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 17, 2017
Council chambers are nearly filled ahead of today’s vote to move two confederate era statues from downtown Lexington. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/PJRzMrna2V
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) August 17, 2017
Fifteen minutes before meeting start; there's still a line to get in. Police are greeting people at the door. pic.twitter.com/n3ia4Xa33J
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Two overflow seating areas are already packed in addition to the council chambers.
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
Nancy Jo Kemper said her uncle was a captain in Hunt Morgan's army. He was no hero. "He was a terrorist."
— HL Cityhall (@HLCityhall) August 17, 2017
The view outside the chamber as people gather in the Urban County Government Center. pic.twitter.com/JlRlybuKbo
— Marcus Dorsey (@mdorseymedia) August 17, 2017
Currently hearing public comments from people who had signed up prior. pic.twitter.com/Dq1zKFzd58
— Marcus Dorsey (@mdorseymedia) August 17, 2017
Breckinridge descendent supports relocating statue. pic.twitter.com/gQxEG2wOwr
— Mayor Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 17, 2017
This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Overflow crowd erupts in cheers as Lexington council votes to move statues."