Here at SouthsideCentral, we’re glad to publish speeches, remarks or opinion pieces completely unedited. This is Danville City Councilman Alonzo Jones’ statement from the last Danville City Council meeting regarding his opinion on the Confederate flag issue.
(Editor’s Note: Alonzo Jones made these remarks at the July 7, 2015 Danville City Council meeting. This message got caught up in SouthsideCentral’s spam filters and I just found it.)
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History’s Board of Directors requested Council remove the Confederate flag from the monument and display it inside the museum. During the November 6, 2014 meeting, Council heard viewpoints from citizens who opposed or supported removing the flag. After much discussion, City Attorney, Clarke Whitfield, revealed that Council cannot under Virginia Law legally remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the museum. My vote against removing the flag was based on that alone, the Law. Citizens have asked Council to state where we stand in regards to this issue. I would like to see the flag removed from the monument and placed on display INSIDE the museum.
The tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina, has ignited many debates in surrounding communities and various states. People are boldly taking a stance and working towards removing the Confederate flag, whether being license plates or Capitol grounds. Therefore, it is my hope that Council request assistance from the Attorney General to expedite the removal of the Confederate flag and have it included inside the museum where all can continue learning about the history of Danville, Virginia.
It’s pretty amazing how much schools attract the public’s attention. Remember last summer? This blog went into hyper speed with comments over Newsome. And then the alleged threats at G.W. in the fall? Again, it seemed like a comment a minute.
Schools really do seem to pique the public’s interest.
It will take more than the help of the Virginia State Attorney General to take down the flag, if indeed it is deemed a war memorial, as such are duly protected under federal law:
http://www.amvets.org/pdfs/legislative_pdfs/2012/12-29-protection-of-american-war-memorials-monuments-and-veterans-graves.pdf
Keep the flag, remove Alonzo
Alonzo, don’t you have better things to do???
The Charleston disaster has nothing to do with the Confederate flag. It has nothing to with Danville. I am sure that crazy guy Roof has never heard of Danville, nor has he been to Danville. I seriously doubt he could find Danville on a map of Virgina if you gave him 5 minutes. It is contemptible for anybody locally or nationally to try to turn this tragedy into a political advantage. The Virginia State code prohibts removing the flag. Period. The Museum should accept that and stop stirring the pot.
Any bets on the race of the next city manager??????????
Why would “whowillitbe” ask such a question and not do it under their own name? Why does it matter to “whoitwillbe” what the race of our next city manger will be?