DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – Days after violent protests erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia over the removal of confederate memorials, Dallas City Council Member Phillip Kingston said “the sooner the better” in addressing statutes in Dallas that honor Civil War heroes.
Kingston said a resolution written by a group of local clergy and historians outlines a plan.
“It would express disapproval of the maintaining of Confederate memorials on public property and also assess a memorials task force to determine what to do with them,” he said.
The task force would be under a deadline to provide the city council with further details about the proposed plans which could mean the removal of the Confederate statues.
“I would assume that’s what this task force would come back to us with. They would specifically be tasked with reporting back to us by December 6th,” said Kingston.
One of the statues is of Robert E. Lee in Turtle Creek and another one is on the grounds of the Dallas Convention Center.
During the Charlottesville protests, a man identified as James Alex Fields Junior, allegedly plowed his car into a crowd of counter protesters at the white supremacist rally. One woman, Heather Heyer, was killed and 19 others were injured.
Kingston said the tragedy should serve as a grim reminder of what can happen when racism and bigotry are not dealt with.
“I think Charlottesville really emphasizes that there is not a lot of time to wait now,” he said.
The Mayor has been asked to discuss the resolution with the city council no later than September 13th.
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