JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE: Jacksonville mayor: Confederate monuments are not my priority
More than 100 people commented on City Council President Anna Lopez Brosche's proposal to remove Confederate statues from public land at a City Council meeting Tuesday.
The debate over the statues heated up after the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month.
The City Council began accepting public comment on the statues just before 8:30 p.m. and continued until just after 11 p.m.
One hundred and twenty-three people signed up to speak to council members and each person was given 90 seconds.
Speakers expressed their opinions with passion. Some said the statues represent slavery and racism while others said the statues honor Southern history.
Before the meeting began, and several times during the meeting, council members stressed that no legislation on removing statues and monuments has been put forth at this time.
READ ACTION NEWS JAX REPORTER LARRY SPRUILL'S TWEETS FROM THE MEETING:
These cards are being passed out for city council's meeting. You must have one of these cards to enter. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/Qqob7YzUeT
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 22, 2017
Extra security officers here at city hall for tonight's city council meeting. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/1YsRWAmpHI
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 22, 2017
Packed room inside city council chambers... many waiting to speak about Confederate monuments. I'm live at 6. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/kl3y90bvXu
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 22, 2017
Council just announced the confederate monument discussion will be discussed during second public comments. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 22, 2017
Council just tabled the motion to address the topic of term limits on some city leaders positions. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 22, 2017
Jacksonville Council just voted no to repeal 2-term limits for city leaders. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
First speaker is addressing City council on the confederate monument issue. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/NG7Kreg8p2
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
First speaker who supports confederate monument is speaking. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/FgH7mzWGjl
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
The discussion starts off very passionate with speakers on both sides. People are asking council to let the people vote. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
This speaker says 'Our history disappears, if we don't have reminders.' He wants to keep the statues in place. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/kUO9MEoAfI
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
This speaker says Jacksonville is a racist town. Blacks and whites don't get along. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/etohbQ97Hk
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
This speaker says he can't idol a statue. He simply says take them down. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/BxsLJJIqmK
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
City council president just warned the crowd to control outbursts. Or she will end the meeting. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
Connell Crooms, a member of the Jax 5, is addressing the council. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/eJU27JKjRQ
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
This is the last speaker addressing council. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/XWyBWBHAzr
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
About 60 cards were left of people who left before their turn to speak. Meeting is adjourned. @ActionNewsJax
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 23, 2017
WATCH THE FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AS BROADCASTED ON THE ACTION NEWS JAX FACEBOOK PAGE (Warning: May contain explicit language):
Jacksonville City Council meeting: Public comment expected on ...WATCH LIVE: City Council members will hear public comment on a proposal to remove Confederate statues and monuments in Jacksonville. Do you think the statues should be removed from public property? Vote: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/vote Background: http://bit.ly/2vccUiR
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, August 22, 2017
WATCH LIVE: City Council members to hear public comment on a proposal to remove Confederate statues and monuments in Jacksonville. Do you think the statues should be removed from public property? Vote: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/vote Background: http://bit.ly/2vccUiR
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, August 22, 2017
WATCH LIVE: City Council members to hear public comment on a proposal to remove Confederate statues and monuments in Jacksonville. Do you think the statues should be removed from public property? Vote: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/vote Background: http://bit.ly/2vccUiR
Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Cox Media Group