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Franklin Township To Relocate Confederate Monument

Franklin Township officials are moving forward with plans to relocate a 90-year-old confederate monument. The monument was taken from its original location in August, after a protest group called for its removal.

Credit J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Creative Commons
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Flickr Creative Commons

At a meeting Wednesday, Franklin Township officials confirmed the monument will be erected once again, although the exact location has yet to be determined. Township trustees said they’re exploring options along Dixie Highway, as the monument was originally dedicated to the roadway.The statue, honoring confederate general Robert E. Lee stood on the corner of Dixie Highway and Hamilton Middletown Rd for 90 years, until it was removed by the City of Franklin August 16. City officials said the monument was a public safety hazard. It was subsequently returned to Franklin Township, its legal owner.

 

Many residents were angered by the removal, claiming the monument represented a part of the town’s history.

The Dayton Chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice brought attention to the marker after violence erupted at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. That event prompted calls around the country to remove confederate monument.

 

There’s no word yet on when the monument will be relocated.

 

Copyright 2017 WYSO

April Laissle is a graduate of Ohio University and comes to WYSO from WOUB Public Media in Athens, Ohio where she worked as a weekend host and reporter. There, she reported on everything from food insecurity to 4-H chicken competitions. April interned at KQED Public Radio in San Francisco, where she focused on health reporting. She also worked on The Broad Experience, a New-York based podcast about women and workplace issues. In her spare time, April loves traveling, trying new recipes and binge-listening to podcasts. April is a Florida native and has been adjusting to Ohio weather since 2011.