IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — There is confusion over the fate of a Confederate statue in Iredell.
Many in the community thought commissioners voted to remove it from in front of the county courthouse. The resolution that passed states the owners of the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy will move it if the group wants to do that.
[‘KKK’ flyers showing up at homes of those protesting against Confederate statue]
Commissioners said the group does not want to remove it.
“So my vote was only to help pay for it,” Commissioner Gene Houpe said. “If the owners wanted it paid for, wanted it moved, so that’s it. So I’ve spent two weeks trying to clarify that, and we’ll try to do that tonight knowing that it’s going to disappoint people. But we have to represent the majority of the people. I think the majority of people in Iredell county and in North Carolina do not want the statues moved.”
[Commissioners vote to relocate Confederate statue outside Iredell County courthouse]
Both sides of the debate over the future of the Confederate monument on the old courthouse lawn had gathered outside that night.
The man in charge of keeping tensions from erupting into violence was Sheriff Darren Campbell.
“I probably think the potential flashpoint was after the meeting when the decision had been made, and you heard some comments being made,” Campbell said. “I wouldn’t say threats but some pretty nasty things on both sides.”
In the video at the top of this webpage, veteran crime reporter speaks with the sheriff about keeping the peace between the protesters.
This browser does not support the video element.
This browser does not support the video element.