Majority on Dallas council leaning toward removal of Confederate monument from cemetery

DALLAS - A majority of Dallas city council members are leaning toward taking down a Confederate monument in a small downtown Dallas cemetery.

The council heard from an artist who was asked how she could update the monument to dead Confederate soldiers inside Pioneer Park next to the convention center, but she revealed few details to the frustration of councilmembers.

“I think you might have come up with something like the drinking water fountain project that would have been teachable and an opportunity to have people learn from the past,” said councilwoman Sandy Greyson.

Others said they didn't see how the monument could be properly reworked.      

“I completely lack the imagination to see how there is any way to transform the negative nature of this monument,” said councilman Philip Kingston.

City staff said removing the monument would cost an estimated $480,000, but it would not stay intact and have to be removed and stored in pieces.

After the presentation, the majority of Dallas City Council members said they would rather take apart and store the monument.

“There is no monument to Hitler in Germany, so why should there be a monument to confederate soldiers in the city of Dallas?” asked councilman Kevin Felder.

Councilman Lee Kleinman agreed, simply saying, “It needs to come down.”

But some urged caution.

“Last time we took an action as a council there was a huge backlash.  We are moving forward today knowing there are two sides to this issue, both of which feel very emotional and passionate, and we are ignoring one side today," Greyson said.

No final decision was made at Tuesday’s meeting, but a vote to remove the monument could be added to a future meeting agenda in the near future.