Protesters call for Confederate statue removal

Protesters call for Confederate statue removal

In florence -- protesters call again for city and county leaders to remove a confederate statue outside the courthouse.

You're taking a look at the rally earlier tonight -- many people chanting "take it down" while standing in front of that monument.

Thank you for joining us tonight -- i'm dan shaffer.

Najahe sherman has the night off.

Waay 31's megan reyna was there tonight in florence -- and shows us why people believe city and county leaders need to put the people before politics.

Nats:'are you going to do whatever it takes?"

Are you willing to do whatever it takes?"

This isn't the first time and won't be the last when people gather outside the lauderdale county courthouse... demanding change.

Bennett says:"we have to continuously show up, let our voices be heard and demand what needs to happen which means that monument needs to be relocated and removed as soon as possible."

Camille bennett with project say something has been trying to get city and county leaders to take action.

However -- last week during a commission meeting -- certain commissioners refused to allow it to become an agenda item -- refusing to break an alabama law that protects monuments from being removed.

Bennett says:"right now we're going through a political process that's completely unnecessary people are yielding to a law that's irrational, and inhumane, and incorrect, and we need to put the people first."

Breaking that law could subject a city or county to a fine of 25-thousand dollars for removing a monument.

However -- bennett says the city of florence has the budget for it.

Nats: take it down for her -- and many others gathering around the statue monday night -- there's no justifying keeping what they call a symbol of oppression.

Bennnett says:"the civil war was about slavery, slavery is what it is, it was a atrocity and a holocaust for black people, and its just very simple, its a no brainer, it just needs to go."

But this is just one step in a movement for racial equality and justice.

Bennett says:"this is a minuscule ask, this is not the end, we have policies to look at and different systems we need to correct, but this is the first step for our community."

Megan says:"until action is taken -- this group will continue to protest.

So far -- they have plans to be out here every night this work week.

Reporting in flo mr waay 31 news."

Thanks megan.

Bennett said they are in talks with local leaders behind closed doors - but are not confident just yet anyone is planning on taking legitimate action to remove