Paul Soglin: Waxing America

Confederate Monuments @ Forest Hill Cemetery Madison - Going, going, gone

Statement of Madison Mayor Paul Soglin on Removal of Confederate Memorials

from Forest Hill Cemetery

The removal of City owned monuments to confederate soldiers in Forest Hill Cemetery has minimal or no disruption to the cemetery itself.  There is no disrespect to the dead with the removal of the plaque and stone. 

The Civil War was an act of insurrection and treason and a defense of the deplorable practice of slavery.  The monuments in question were connected to that action and we do not need them on City property. 

 

Taking down monuments will not erase our shared history.  The Confederacy’s legacy will be with us, whether we memorialize it in marble or not.  I agree with other Mayors around the country also speaking out and taking action.  We are acknowledging there is a difference between remembrance of history and reverence of it.  In Madison, we join our brothers and sisters around the country to prove that we as a people are able to acknowledge, understand, reconcile, and most importantly, choose a better future for ourselves.

 

There should be no place in our country for bigotry, hatred, or violence against those who seek to unite our communities and our country.  That is why I instructed Forest Hills Cemetery staff to remove a confederate’s rest commemorative memorial.  There is a larger monument, which has not garnered as much attention, which will also be removed.

Where is Scott Walker on Charlottesville?

Now that Donald Trump has finally called out the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists, virtually every responsible public official has made it clear where they stand on the events in Charlottesville.  As of this morning, we have still not heard from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. 

Perhaps he has been too busy with Foxconn. 

Donald Trump It is Time To Name Names

Yesterday's Facebook post.

 

It is critical that violent hate groups such as the KKK, Nazis, and White Supremacists be identified and repudiated by all responsible elected officials starting with the president of the United States. Supporting an elected official, shall not provide cover to anyone who preaches hatred or violence or both.