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Gray To Ask Lexington Cemetery To Take 'Inappropriate' Confederate Statues

Josh James
/
WUKY

The Herald Leader is reporting that Lexington Mayor Jim Gray plans to formally ask members of the Lexington Cemetery Board to consider taking in two Confederate statues that currently sit adjacent to Cheapside Park.

The mayor sent a letter to the board asking for a chance to speak at its next meeting on September 11th.  Earlier this month the Urban County Council unanimously okayed the process of moving the statues of John Hunt Morgan and John C. Breckinridge off the old courthouse grounds. 

The ultimate decision is in the hands of the Kentucky Military Heritage Commission.  That panel would not consider the appeal unless and until the city secured a new place for them. 

In his letter Gray says Lexington Cemetery “is the one location that generates support from those with opposing views on this issue.”  He also says Lexington Cemetery is the best home for the statues since both men are buried there. 

Cemetery board members also received a letter from several black leaders and ministers expressing the same sentiment.

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