ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A small group opposed to the relocating of a Confederate monument are protesting in St. Augustine. They’ve been in the area since 5 a.m. Friday. Officers have also shown up to keep an eye on the protest.
St. Augustine leaders say the memorial will be moved to the Trout Creek Fish Camp off State Road 13 -- about 19 miles from its current spot.
The person who owns the property will cover the cost of adding lighting, sidewalk, and seats near the memorial, the city said.
Action News Jax reported in June when city commissioners voted to relocate the monument.
At Monday night’s decision on relocating the monument, we heard passionate arguments on both sides of this debate.
“I don’t want it moved period. I don’t want it moved,” said Seber Newsome III, while, Richard White supports relocating the memorial.
“The reason it’s there was to intimidate the African American citizens in this community,” White said.
City leaders say a contractor will be out for an evaluation. The group says they want to be there when that happens and more people will be joining them throughout the morning.
The number of protestors around the Confederate monument in downtown St.Augustine is growing. I’m LIVE at 7 on @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/VwGN3X5DIx
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) August 14, 2020
Cox Media Group
