Jacksonville mayor: Confederate monuments are not my priority

Jacksonville’s mayor says Confederate monuments are not his priority despite heated discussion about removing them from city property.

People packed City Hall on Tuesday night as city council members heard public comment on the issue.

Some people are calling for a public vote and others say that the monuments honor those who fought in the Civil War.

Other people who commented at the meeting said the statues represent racial dominance and want to see change.

After the Charlottesville protests, City Council President Anna Broche began the process of cataloging and removing the statues.

Action News Jax reporter Bridgette Matter asked Mayor Lenny Curry about his opinion on removing the statues, including one in Hemming Park that was built in 1898, 33 years after the Civil War.

Curry said the status of Confederate monuments is not his priority, and Broche is the person who must talk about their future.

“I reject white supremacists racism in any form. It has no place in Jacksonville," Curry said. "I’ve also made it very clear for the past two years what my priorities are. I am focused on my goals on getting things done for the people of Jacksonville.”

Curry said it is up to City Council to have discussion and debate.

"They’ll decide when to move with legislation and if it ends up on my desk, I'll evaluate it then," he said.

Curry also said that the sheriff and his officers did a good job staying on top of any potential safety issues at Tuesday's meeting.

Cox Media Group