Final Decision on Asheville’s Confederate Statue Stirs Emotions on Both Sides of Debate
ASHEVILLE, NC – The decision to remove a prominent Confederate statue in downtown Asheville is now final, and folks on both sides of the argument had plenty to say. The unanimous decision from the North Carolina Supreme Court was announced, rejecting a lawsuit challenging the city’s removal of the Vance Monument in Pack Square Plaza.
The Controversy
The monument was erected in honor of former North Carolina governor and slave owner Zebulon Vance, who was born in Buncombe County. In 2020, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and the Asheville City Council voted to remove the statue, citing it as a “public safety threat in the community.”
The Removal
The monument, which had stood in Pack Square Plaza since 1898, was dismantled down to its base in May 2021. The Society for the Historical Preservation of the 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops sued to stop the removal.
Public Opinion
“The public space is for the public good, and I don’t believe anything associated with slavery or the slave trade has been or ever will be considered a public good,” said a supporter of the removal.
However, some expressed disappointment with the ruling, suggesting officials should have kept the monument but changed its name and purpose.
The Future
Asheville Mayor stated that the goal now is to transform the space into a place that celebrates inclusivity.
