Monument Mafia

06/04/2024

August 14, 2017 Durham NC - protesters use rope to pull down the Confederate Soldiers Monument in front of the "old" Durham County Courthouse where it stood since 1924.

August 28, 2018 Chapel Hill NC - "Silent Sam", a broze statue of a Confederate Soldier that had stood on the UNC Chapel Hill campus since 1913 was pulled down by protestors. It honored over 1000 students and faculty who left to defend their state. Atleast 287 of those lost their lives.

March 12, 2019 Winston-Salem - Confederate Monument across the street from the "old " Forsyth Courthouse downtown was removed by the city.The old courthouse has been sold to a private developer in 2014.

June 19, 2020 Raleigh NC - at the NC State Capital in Raleigh a decision was made not to stop the crowd from pulling down statues. One honoring Henry Lawson Wyatt, the first North Carolinian killed in battle during the War of Northern Aggression was pulled down with a rope and dragged through the streets if Raleigh. Governor Roy Cooper, then ordered all Confederate Monuments on the Capital Grounds be removed ignoring the 2015 law The NC Legislation had passed.

June 19, 2020 Raleigh NC - also at the NC State Capital in Raleigh, a second Monument, Women of the Confederacy, was also pulled down. It was also dedicated June 10, 1914 with the acceptance addressed delivered by Governor Locke Craig. One monument was was left hanging from a light pole and the other on the steps of Wake County Courthouse.

June 20, 2020 Raleigh - the Confederate Monument standing 75 foot high in front of the NC Capital was removed by order of Governor Roy Cooper after mobs destroyed two other monuments the night before. The monument was unveiled May 20, 1895. Two Civil War era cannons that had been next to the monument were removed and placed at Fort Fisher Historical Site on June 29.

June 23, 2020 Oxford NC - the Confederate Monument at the Richard Thorton Library on Main St was removed where it had been since it was moved in 1971 from its original location at the Granville County Courthouse where it was dedicated October 30, 1909 by Governor W. W. Kitchin.

June 24, 2020 Warrenton NC - following an unanimous vote during an "emergency " meeting of the Warren County Board of Commisioners to remove the Confederate Monument on the County Courthouse Square where it was dedicated October 27, 1913.

June 29, 2020 Rocky Mount NC - the Confederate Monument, Riverside Park on Falls Rd. was dedicated to Nash County Soldiers on May 14, 1917. Rocky Mount City Council vote 6-1 to remove the Monument at a cost of $281,250. Original cost was approximately $15,000. This monument is being re-erected on private property in Nash County.

June 27, 2020 Louisburg NC -after two years of campaigning against our monument by Louisburg College professor Will Hinton (now retired), initial he was disregarded but after George Floyd, Boyd Sturges, Louisburg Councilman and a recently employed Attorney for the SCV in the Sikent Sam case, turned coats and headed the movement to remove our soldier. A month of protection and delay by concerned citizens, ignored lawsuit, the soldier was forcibly removed from high atop atop a monument by Harpers Crane Service, under the guard of Louisburg Police Chief and the Franklin County Sheriff. (Note: Oxford, Warrenton and Franklin County Monuments were all removed by former preacher Rev. Gary Harper and his now defunct Harpers Crane Service of Kittrell NC.), that stood on an island (owned by UDC) in the middle of North Main St since dedication May 13, 1914. Town of Louisburg voted 4-3 in a "virtual emergency meeting" ( probably illegal) on June 22 to move it to Oakwood Cemetery (illegal in NC since 2015), owned by the Town (should be illegal). Boyd Sturges, Attorney, on Louisburg College board of Trustees, Louisburg Council member (now former) and loser in mayors race, who represented and paid by the SCV in a lawsuit for "Silent Sam" made the motion to remove our Monument. He was joined by (Former UDC Daughter) Emma Ruth Stewart (who didn't seek reelection). Sturges involved with The SCV, The Town, the County, Sheriff's Dept, BOE, the Courts Judges (wife is one), and the (political) removal of the Clerk of Court has possibly been the biggest conflict of interest in Franklin County history. The monument now illegally stands in Oakwood Cemetery guarded by the graves of 71 Confederates. (And yes, all things in ( ) are my own comments as I am a descendant of numerous soldiers in Franklin, Warren and numerous other counties and very much involved.)

July 3, 2020 Henderson NC - after Vance County Commisioners vote 4-3 to remove The Vance County Confederate Monument from the front of the "old" courthouse where it was dedicated November 10, 1910. I guest Preacher Harper got atleast his fourth Monument before his Harper Crane Service went belly up. Vance County was formed in 1881 years after the war from parts of Granville, Franklin and Warren Counties. Was names after Confederate NC Governor Zebulon Vance.

July 4, 2020 Greensboro NC - over the holiday weekend the Confederate Soldiers Monument was toppled. This monument stood in the Green Hill Cemetery on Wharton St. where it was dedicated September 26, 1888. The cemetery contains a mass grave of approximately 300 unknown soldiers, 234 who were wounded in the Battle of Bentonville and died after evacuation to Greensboro.

July 6, 2020 Salisbury NC - the "Fame" Confederate Memorial was removed from Innes St. where it was dedicated May 10, 1909. The UDC and local historic groups raised $55,000 and "Fame" was relocated in 2021 to the Old Lutheran Cemetery on Lee St. where 175 Confederate Tombstones had been installed in 1996.

July 8, 2020 Wadesboro NC - the Anson County Confederate Monument was removed after, a a 4-2 vote by County Commisioners, from the County Courthouse where it was dedicated January 19, 1906.

July 10, 2020 Charlotte NC - the 1929 Confederate Reunion Marker removed by Mecklenburg County after learning of threats. The monument was dedicated June 7, 1929 and commemorated the 39th Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans.

July 12, 2020 Clinton NC - the Sampson County Confederate Monument was removed from in front of the Court House after being vandalized overnight. Dedicated May 12, 1916, it now stands in the Military History Building of the Sampson County Hisory Museum.

September 16, 2020 Rockingham NC - the Confederate Soldiers Monument was removed by the City from Harrington Square where it was dedicated November 14, 1930. A week later it was announced the monument would be relocated to the Richmond County Veterans Memorial Park

May 17, 2021 Ashville NC - the stone obelisk mounument, in downtown , that memorialized NC Senator and Governor, Zebulon Vance was dismantled and removed by the city. The Buncombe County monument had stood since it was unveiled May 10, 1898.

October 17, 2021 Lexington NC - removed the Confederate Memorial that was dedicated by the Robert E. Lee Chapter of the UDC on September 14, 1905.

May 14, 2024 Wilson NC - Wilson County Memorial Fountain was removed one day after a meeting of Wilson County Commisioners. The monument was dedicated November 11, 1926 and was sponsored by the DAR and the UDC. Of course November 11 was Armistice Day and this monument represented all Wilson County Veterans and the front panel had both American and Confederate flags.

August 30, 2015 Edenton NC

06/25/2023

June 27th, 2020 - after a long night I went home and caught a few winks. Got a call from SCV official that Preacher, the crane guy, was heading our way. Simultaneously one of the daughters saw activity near the Monument. I arrived from north Main and was immediately blocked and forced over the wall of the college. A Daughter had reached the Monument, which she knew the Daughters owned. She was physically removed by the Police Chief, receiving bruises and a Son, trying to protect her, was held by several officers. Now Police were everywhere. They had never kept anyone from the Monument before, but had no problem keeping us away now! This was the ultimate betrayal of Our families. We were threatened with a paddy wagon sitting close by. I said they needed several more if they took a single one of us! My lasting reminder of that day, was a Daughter in tears and a police officer looking ashame! That police officer is now Chief! DeoVindice

06/25/2023

June 26th, 2020 - by Friday authorities not happy with vehicles blocking an early attempt to remove our Monument, the same day Warrenton's was removed, the Town blocked the section of Main St. Chief asked if we would respect the college having parents visiting. I said of of course, as long you keep the thugs off our Monument! I was sitting on the steps of the college library eating a hamburger when two groups appeared. One came from street beside college and the other from down Main St. They never slowed down and went straight for the Monument. When I complained to the closest officer, he put my hands behind my back and threatened me with arrest! Because the police did nothing as promised, the Monument defenders came out to protect it. It was the worst confrontation by far. We were spit on, threatened and pushed. But Our soldier was again saved. Second time, absolutely no police protection of the Monument it self. Again, we just hoped for a better day Saturday.

06/25/2023

June 20th, 2020 - citizens and one elected official were standing on the sidewalk next to Our Monument when a black suv drove by and threw small balloons filled with who knows what. I know it burned! Police surrounding the area and watching on camera did not apprehend anyone. Fire Department came and washed the sidewalks, but could not remove the black stains.

06/25/2023

Each weekend at the Monument got nastier! Big boy apparently hadn't changed clothes for the month. Hinton denied any planning of protest but he sure seemed to be communicating with his ladies. When things erupted, he grabbed his plastic chair and sign and hauled ass!

06/24/2023

June 24th, 2020 - The Manager and the Preacher meet at the Monument to discuss its removal. I advised both they didn't have any rights to Our Monument. Preacher went on to remove Warrenton, Henderson and Oxford before ours. We seem to be the only ones who resisted. Manager is now in Pittsboro and Preacher is listed as out of business! I hope they meet up again in hell one day!

06/23/2023

Brian Stanley, who we met at the Monument in 2020, was killed in a car accident yesterday on Hwy 96. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

06/06/2023

My take on the June 22 2020 Meeting -

First, I think it was an illegal attempt to skirt anything resembling a honest public meeting.

A "Zoom" meeting was not necessary or required as they met before and after with in person meetings. It was an act to shut the people out!

I don't believe any person not at the actual meeting should have had a vote if they are not allowed one in a regular meeting they are not in attendance. Yes I'm talking about Emma Ruth Stewart!

Boyd Sturges, who had just been involved as recent as February 2020 (and received an approximately $52,000 payment) representing the Sons of Confederate Veterans in the lawsuit against UNC over a Monument there, should not have in any capacity been allowed to have a voice much less instigate and propose the removal of our Monument! CONFLICT OF INTEREST! Sturges in 2020 represented the SCV, Louisburg Town Council Member, was Attorney for Franklin County Board of Commissioners , served on Louisburg College Board of Trustees, represented the lawyer he set up to politicaly okremove Clerk of Court Patricia Chastain and who knows what else. Enough is enough!

I was told the State of NC advised the town, if not publicly, that they not disturb the Monument irregardless of ownership...it was currently in the state right away. Needed much clearer information.

As of today a lawsuit by concerned citizens is still pending after almost 3 years. I have never been given an actual cost of the Monument removal, illegal reassembling at the Confederate Cemetery (Chris Neal's words, not mine) and legal defense by an out of town lawyer, not the towns regular attorney. There is documentation that Sturges stated it didn't matter what the cost...it had to go, and his servant Johnathan Franklin got it done!

As recent as May 19th 2023, Councilman Clancey questioned the accounting of attorney fees associated with the Monument and said it's misleading. He doesn't think the cost should be under historic preservation. I agree. All money spent against us should be on an itemized list!

In the same meeting Mayor Neal said "the people of this town would not be paying for it if someone had not launched a suit against the town". Duh! They wouldn't be paying if you hadn't broken the law and removed something you didn't own.

I would also would like to know how Chad Dickerson's (Blogger, former CEO of Etsy 2011-2017 and descendant to local Confederate Soldiers) $15,000 "donation" was accepted, recorded and used by the Town of Louisburg?

Technology *and* liberal arts One of the most misguided notions I’ve seen in my life is that in one’s career and education you have to choose between a technical path and a non-technical one. It is a false choice. Anyone who has worked with a great engineer who also is a gifted communicator kno...

06/06/2023

June 22 2020 - The fiasco begins! To the best of my memory their were over 50 concerned citizens outside of town hall for the "Zoom" meeting. Everyone I saw except a few reporters were obviously supporting the Monument. There were no protesters or support for the removal... outside atleast! Rumors were, some members were not even at the meeting! One may have been at the beach. If a member is not in attendance at any town meeting they surely don't get to vote! Why would the "Zoom" meeting be different. We also learned that who ever set up the "Zoom" meeting took the cheap free route...only 100 participants could get on the ridiculous "Zoom" meeting. Sure enough when we tried to log on before the meeting it was full! We luckily had one person who had got on and we gathered around the gazebo to listen. It was obvious the decisions were made way before the public farce of a meeting. The Mayor Pernell and Councilmen Clancey and Russell made all the good and obvious reasons to hold off. It was acknowledged that they had no proof or claim of ownership. Didn't matter, the "four" had made up their mind and vote 4-3 to remove the Monument and set it back up in the Cemetery... just like Will Hinton had suggested two years earlier. What had changed in two years. Next my view on that meeting..

06/06/2023

June 22, 2020 Attorney Larry Norman sent a letter to Mayor Karl Pernell with numerous reason why the town council should not make a hasty decision concerning the Monument. Good reasons! Like you don't own it! It's against the law! And the zoom meeting is not ethical or legal! He asked that citizens be given a fair chance to speak before any decisions are made.

06/06/2023

On June 19, 2020 I was handed a notification by a very nice town employee who wanted to make sure I knew in advance. A Zoom meeting on June 22nd. I had no idea what a fiasco that would be. But we knew it wasn't good for us. I knew there was a "pandemic " but they had met the past Monday in person...and would meet all subsequent meetings in person. No doubt in my mind that this was a deliberate attempt to shut us out! Knowing what probably was coming, a group of citizens had already started legal actions against the town.

06/06/2023

On Saturday Morning June 20, 2020...a small group surrounded the First Flag Monument in front of the Franklin County Courthouse. They did not attract much attention downtown Louisburg on a Saturday. I did realize for the first time that there was a few participants who's only interest was gay rights. Actually saw a few mothers protesting for I assume their gay children. I did not know then or now why that was connected to Confederate Monuments. I guess there are many misconceptions of southern whites that love their home and history. We really didn't have a problem with anyone until they attacked us and felt that there rights and history was more important than ours. Kinda like 1860's all over again!