Courthouse Confederate monument

Urged the commissioners to remove the Confederate monument outside the courthouse, criticizing its presence.

Addressed historical oppression, the courthouse monument, and school funding priorities.

Speaking as Vice President of the NAACP Gastonia Branch, called for the removal of the Confederate monument and reallocation of county budget priorities toward education.

Urged the removal of the Confederate monument, comparing Gaston County to other state locations that removed similar statues.

Requested the relocation of the Confederate monument from the courthouse to uphold ideals of equality.

Criticized the board for ignoring community calls to remove the Confederate monument.

Raised concerns about meeting procedures and reiterated requests to relocate the Confederate monument.

Spoke about institutional racism and the history surrounding the courthouse Confederate monument.

Expressed deep frustration with Gaston County DSS foster care administration and inconsistencies in support for foster families.

Argued that the Confederate monument at the courthouse represents an outdated racist ideal and should be relocated to the county history museum.

Spoke in favor of keeping the Confederate monument, stating it serves as a headstone and memorial for Confederate ancestors.

Urged the board not to remove the Confederate monument, sharing family history of ancestors who fought to defend their homeland.

Defended the historical context of the Civil War and asked commissioners to leave the monument in place.

Emphasized that the monument honors fallen soldiers and noted that state law and court rulings protect its current location.

Noted appeals court decisions regarding legal standing and urged the board to follow state law regarding the memorial.

Speaking as Gastonia NAACP President, urged commissioners to listen to all citizens and relocate the Confederate monument.

Argued that the Confederate monument creates a welcoming barrier at the entrance of justice and recounted the history of the displaced Highland community.

Highlighted local genealogy and emphasized that the 1912 monument was erected to remember Gaston County veterans who served.

Called on the board to have the courage to remove the Confederate monument from the courthouse entrance.

Argued that leaving the Confederate monument in place glorifies white supremacy and causes ongoing harm to people of color.

Speaking for the NAACP, asked why a symbol of slavery stands outside a building dedicated to blind justice.

A military veteran and property owner stated that the statue honors treasonous fighters rather than true American soldiers and should be moved to a museum.

Reminded commissioners of a past council vote to relocate the statue and paraphrased Ronald Reagan to ask them to move it.