ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The nation’s oldest city engaged Monday night in arguments about old wounds, and how Confederate monuments in St. Augustine may keep those wounds open or serve to heal them.
The City Commission heard public comment for a few hours Monday evening without any legislation on the agenda -- yet.
"I think it's time for the monuments to be removed. They were erected during a time when our country was divided," said Lalenia White, who wants the monuments taken down. "Put the Confederate monuments in a museum ... But to have them in a public place, it's not appropriate."
White was among many passionate people who wanted to share their opinions with city leaders about the monuments.
"It's not a monument to anything other than poor boys in gray who gave their lives for a cause they believed in. -- whether you agree with it or don't agree with it," said Mark Bennett, who wants to keep the monuments. "I believe fundamentally that having Martin Luther King Jr.'s monument on the street and having a monument to Confederate veterans is the lifeblood of what makes America America. It's a fabric woven of many tales, many of which are not perfect."
The Loring Memorial, which has been in place since 1920, is on property owned by the state. Another monument, Ladies Memorial Association, went up in 1872.
Demonstrators delivered their messages in peaceful and creative ways outside City Hall. Monday's City Commission meeting was packed, and an overflow room was mostly full.
After Mayor Nancy Shaver told people that the meeting would be civil, she asked people to greet someone they had never met, in order “to set the tone.”
"I don't think a lot of people realize how old these monuments are. Martin Luther King was out there, but he didn't protest," said Jeannie Litty, who wants to keep the monuments in place. "I don't know why people are protesting to take them down now. It's just not right."
City leaders heard opinions from many people on both sides of the issue.
"It offends me because I know for a fact the reason they are there: Because they're being memorialized by hatred groups. And that's what it is. And I know what hatred is all about because I've been a victim," said Willie Garvin, who wants the monuments removed.
Seventy-five people signed up to speak, and were each given three minutes to do so. More people signed comment cards to register statements, but not speak at the meeting..
There's no word on what the city plans to do in regard to taking action.