Confederate Monument Removal Down To Timing

Ashley Carter was outside the Madison County Courthouse with whats turning in to a war of words in a battle brewing over the confederate monument outside the building.

A new battle is brewing over the confederate monument outside the madison county courthouse.

It's a matter of whennot ifthe county plans on moving it.

Waay 31's ashley carter is live at the courthouse with what's turning into a war of words.

Today, state representative laura hall said this monument needs to come down immediately.

But county commission chair dale strong is adamant.

That's not going to happen.

"the commission wants a lawful way and this waiver that we're seeking will go to that 11th person commission,."

Wednesday, madison county commission chairman dale strong explained why he thinks the county can find a legal way to move this confederate monument.

Even though the state attorney general says there isn't.

Dale strong, madison county commission chairman: "we have a member of our local delegation that sits on that committee and i feel that they'll work to solidify six votes that will allow us to preserve this monument and relocate it to maple hill cemetery."

Strong said commissioners plan to state to submit a waiver to move the monument next month.

But, state rep laura hall and the tennessee valley progressive alliance want the monument down now.

Laura hall, alabama house of representatives: "our community wants to see some action and this is a small piece of the action, but there are other things and so the idea is to have something that they can see immediately."

Hall pointed to examples in birmingham and mobile.

Both cities must pay a 25 thousand dollar fine for breaking the alabama memorial preservation act passed in 2017.

Dale strong, madison county commission chairman: "i can assure you madison county commission does not set it's barometers based on what's going on in jefferson and mobile county."

But hall thinks mobile expedited its process by reaching a memorandum of understanding with the state.

Laura hall, "i think they can make it a lot easier because the attorney general has signed a mou with mobile... so i think the pathway seems to be clear for our commissioners to move in that same manner and have them get an mou."

Strong disagrees and called out requests of some protestors.

Dale strong, madison county commission chairman: "i'll take my licks where i'm at constitutionally i'm trying to do it lawfully.

You will not catch me bowing down in front of people, kneeling, things of this nature.

I'm going to represent the 370,000 people here in madison county as i have done for 24 years."

Strong said he believes the county has a good case on getting an exemption from the state in a meeting on july 9th.

In huntsville ashely carter waay 31 news.