FLORENCE-On Monday, June 22 the Lauderdale County Commission declared the 
Confederate Monument in front of the Lauderdale County Courthouse belongs to the City of Florence. According to a letter presented to the commission from Suzanna E. Rawlins, Alabama Division president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the letter stated the UDC gave the statue to the city of Florence in the early 1900s and therefore the organization has no claim on the statue.
After the longer than usual commission meeting Mayor Holt addressed the crowd who have been holding peaceful protest meetings for the last week. In his remarks he said he would recommend to the city council that the statue be moved to the Soldier’s Rest in the Florence City Cemetery.
Holt said he would make the recommendation at the next council meeting which is scheduled to be held on July 7. The mayor said he believed the council would vote in favor of the move.
The crowd of protesters cheered as Mayor Holt made the announcement of the pending move of the statue.
Photos/Charles Rose
