Judge dismisses lawsuit in Asheville Confederate-era monument case
A judge has dismissed a new lawsuit filed to save downtown’s Vance Monument in Asheville, North Carolina. The lawsuit, which sought to halt the ongoing demolition work, was denied by the court. This comes after the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled against the plaintiffs in a previous case related to the monument.
City’s Response
The city’s attorney, Brad Branham, stated that the court denied the plaintiff’s request for a restraining order and granted the city’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely. Branham emphasized the lack of legal support for the plaintiff’s arguments and noted that similar claims had been previously dismissed by the courts.
Branham further stated, “This baseless attempt to prevent the final removal of the monument will not deter the City’s efforts to make the space ready for the new vision of Pack Square to come.”
Plaintiff’s Decision
The plaintiff’s attorney, Edwards Phillips, confirmed that his clients do not intend to pursue further action. Phillips expressed hope that if the monument material is not destroyed by the city, it could be rebuilt on private property. He indicated a willingness to facilitate that conversation if there is a possibility for such an outcome.
Monument Removal
City Council approved the removal of the monument’s base, which began on May 14. The process is expected to take two months to complete. The city has contracted a firm to handle the removal and disposal of the material. The material will be altered to prevent the monument from being reassembled from its original components.
Vance Monument, named after Confederate governor Zebulon Vance, has been a subject of controversy due to Vance’s history as an enslaver and white supremacist. The removal of the monument is part of the city’s efforts to address its historical legacy and create a new vision for the public space.
