Caddo Parish Commission Votes To Remove Confederate Monument
The Caddo Parish Commission has voted this afternoon to remove the Confederate monument that stands in front of the Caddo Parish Courthouse in Downtown Shreveport. The final vote was 7-5
A motion was made during the meeting to move the vote to remove the monument to a public ballot. That motion was voted down on a 7-5 vote.
During this afternoon's meeting, Caddo Parish Commission President Steven Jackson paused public comments at one point, and asked those in the audience who were to support taking the monument down to rise from their seats. About 90% - 95% of the audience rose to their feet. After that, he asked for all who oppose taking the monument down to rise, only a small handful in attendance stood.
Earlier today Caddo Commissioner Mike Middleton joined Robert & Erin on KEEL, and said that he considers today's Commission vote to remove the Confederate monument from the grounds of the parish courthouse is “symbolic.”
This is honestly just the beginning of a process. There are potential legal challenges, though during the meeting the validity of those challenges was brought into question by multiple public commentators.
Meantime, the United Daughters of the Confederacy is soliciting donations on their website for legal defense.
We will have continuing coverage of this as more news develops.