Public forum about removal of Confederate statue yields passionate responses

Future of statue to be decided Thursday by City Council leaders

SAN ANTONIO – The future of the controversial Confederate monument at Travis Park will be decided Thursday.

City leaders got an earful from taxpayers Wednesday night at a public forum.

The crowd was very passionate about their beliefs to remove or keep the monument dedicated to Confederate soldiers. Some said they don’t want tax dollars used to remove the statue.

From the list provided, the majority of people at the forum were for the statue’s removal, calling it a symbol of hate. Those in support of keeping it want the decision to go to a citywide vote.

“Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it,” said Esteban Strpninks, who is against the removal.

“I think it's very important that we change the fact the monuments are glorified as representing something they don't represent,” said Rebecca Behan, who is for the removal.

There was a large police presence at the meeting, but everyone was respectful and only one person was seen being escorted out.

City leaders will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday and are expected to take a vote then.


About the Author:

Patty Santos joined the KSAT 12 News team in July 2017. She has a proven track record of reporting on hard-hitting news that affects the community.