Lexington mayor looks to move confederate statues

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- In the wake of this weekend’s tragedy, Mayor Jim Gray announced his plans to relocate the confederate statues currently standing near the historic courthouse in downtown Lexington to what he believes to be a more appropriate location.

Mayor Gray says he plans to ask the Urban County Council during its meeting tomorrow night to support him in his petition to the state to move the statues from downtown to Veterans Park War Memorial Walk, a location he says is more appropriate for their historical significance.

The mayor announced these plans in a Facebook video posted hours after the horrific attack in Charlottesville.

He says he was already planning on moving forward with the relocation of the statues but the attack prompted him to announce his plans early.

Mayor Gray says it is important to move these statues to an area where they can be viewed for their historical relevance without overshadowing the dark history of the area they currently stand.

“It’s important that our citizens know that the reasoning behind this, the Cheapside was at one time one of the largest slave auction blocks in the country before the civil war. So these confederate statues are really located on sacred ground, Cheapside,” said Mayor Gray.

A vigil is also planned to take place tonight in solidarity with Charlottesville.

More than 500 people are expected to show up in front of the courthouse to unite in solidarity against hate and racism.

The vigil organized by the Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice, along with Kentucky NOW, Indivisible Bluegrass and Together We Will Bluegrass will begin at 7 p.m.

A variety of speakers will take the stage including local lawmakers and religious leaders.

Organizers say they planned the event to mourn the three people who died in Charlottesville but also to stand up against white nationalism and racist views.

“We wanted to have some kind of a response to give people here in Lexington a chance to come out and express their sympathy and concern, their anger about these types of events happening and our solidarity both with our friends in Virginia as well as well as our friends who live here in the Commonwealth who now may feel like they’re being the point of attack as well,” said Julie Martinez with Together We Will Bluegrass.

During the vigil, organizers say they will also take some time to congratulate the mayor on his announcement to recommend the relocation of Lexington’s confederate monuments.

Mayor Gray says he has received both praise and backlash for his decision to move forward with the relocation of these statues but say he stands by his belief that it’s the right thing to do.