In June, the city commissioners and mayor of Brunswick convened a committee with a charge to have a historical, legal, and community conversation that surrounded the  Confederate Statue located in Hanover Square. The committee was comprised of nine members and their charge was to produce a report for the city's leadership to help guide their decision on the fate of the statue. 

Members of the committee worked hard to understand this monument's history and the history of the Civil War.  One result of that good work is a video series recorded by a local history professor who used primary sources to discuss the problematic history of the statue and the need for better historical storytelling for the citizens of Glynn County.  You can find that video series here: Brunswick Georgia's Confederate Monument (A History).

As we enter the public comment period for this statue's fate, it is important that the mayor and commissioners hear from you, the citizens of Brunswick (and Glynn County) outlining your concerns about: 1) the way the committee was selected and conducted 2) the non-response of the mayor and commissioners surrounding the racist public social media posts of one committee member and 3) the refusal of the committee to discharge its duty in presenting the mayor and commissioners all of the options available to the city government, notwithstanding personal opinions.

This petition serves as notice to the city government that there are indeed citizens of Brunswick and Glynn County (and not "outsiders") who want to see the statue come down and, at worst, see it placed in its proper historical context by telling the true story of Lost Cause Mythology and White Supremacy inherent in the statue's existence. As citizens, we expect our government to do the right thing and honor the wishes of citizens who do not tolerate hate and celebrating a legacy that saw millions of enslaved people subjected to unspeakable acts of violence in the Civil War South. As a city where over 60% of its residents are Black, the statue cannot stand, as it serves as a reminder to these men and women of a sordid and painful past.