The Catawba County Truth and Reconciliation Committee believes that a society must continually examine history and recognize the consequences of systemic racism on marginalized communities. Our goal is to: unify, heal, honor truth, contextualize history, uplift and empower marginalized voices. 

The Confederate monument located on the grounds of the 1924 Courthouse in Newton, NC is a dark and painful reminder of our county and nation’s past. Erected in 1907, this monument glorifies the effort to preserve the institution of slavery and white supremacy in Catawba County.

The recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black men and women have brought into sharp focus the issue of racial injustice in our country. Protests and civil unrest have occurred in cities large and small - including our own - to shed light on the inequity that continues to persist in our society.

The ideals and values on display in Catawba County’s public spaces should be reflections of our best selves and the diversity that exists within our community and makes this home great.  Many of these public areas must be reclaimed and reformed into spaces for us to gather as a community without standing in the actual shadows of Jim Crow memorials masquerading as war monuments.

It is imperative, especially at this turbulent time in our nation’s history, that symbols which divide our community are no longer honored in the public space. In order to truly become a civil and just society we must re-examine history by recognizing the true consequences of systemic racism on Black and Brown communities. We must also call into question the importance of historical monuments that harken back to an era of extreme hardship for our Black citizens, neighbors, and friends. The motto of our county is “Making. Living. Better.” and we must address whose lives we are making better.

Therefore, as a step towards reconciliation, we are demanding the removal of the Confederate memorial from the 1924 Courthouse Square in Newton.

We wish to extend this invitation of signing this petition to all those that believe it is time to bring the community together and move forward to build a just and equitable society. One which not only confronts and preserves local family heritage, but also acknowledges an accurate portrayal of history.

Thank you,

Catawba County Truth and Reconciliation Committee