The City of San Antonio will begin the removal of confederate monuments, after Thursday’s council vote.
The monuments have sparked outrage from both sides as the notion of removing historical statues has spread over the country. The particular statue in question – an obelisk with a confederate soldier standing on top – has stood in Travis Park for over a century, along with a few confederate battle cannons that are also slated to be removed.
The item was submitted by councilmembers Roberto Treviño and William “Cruz” Shaw back in July, and has drawn heated debate from both sides – reaching a fever pitch following the Charlottesville riots’ domination of the national dialogue.
Things got heated earlier this week when groups on both sides of the issue congregated in council chambers and at the park, shouting each other down.
In response to the escalating tensions and the manner in which other events across the country have unfolded regarding similar issues, officials erected a fence around the statue to prevent vigilante mobs from destroying it. The statue(s) are to be placed in a museum where, according to city officials, they can be viewed in a “proper context.”
“It is time for San Antonio to relocate the statue in Travis Park and ensure that monuments to the Confederacy are placed in their proper context,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
It is unclear at this moment exactly where the statues will be relocated to and how much the project will cost taxpayers.
The decision was finalized Thursday morning after a 10-1 vote of the city council.
