SPLC report: 24 Confederate symbols removed from NC in 2020, 2nd ranking state for removal
New data shows North Carolina ranked second in the number of Confederate monuments removed in 2020.
According to a recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), 168 Confederate symbols were renamed or removed from public spaces last year -- 94 of those symbols were Confederate monuments. Comparatively, SPLC says 58 Confederate monuments were removed between 2015 and 2019.
SOUTHERN POVERTY: 160 CONFEDERATE SYMBOLS TAKEN DOWN IN 2020
"This encompasses government buildings, Confederate monuments and statues, plaques, markers, schools, parks, counties, cities, military property and streets and highways named after anyone associated with the Confederacy," SPLC's 'Whose Heritage?' report says.
Virginia ranked first in the number of Confederate symbols removed (71) followed by North Carolina (24). Alabama (12) and Texas (12) tied for third place, according to SPLC's report.
The report says more than 2,100 Confederate symbols are still publicly present in the U.S. and 704 of those symbols are monuments.
IN ALABAMA, A VOTE TO KEEP CONFEDERATE MONUMENT PROTECTIONS
Some of those monuments still presently standing include Vance Monument in Asheville and 'Sylva Sam' outside the historic Jackson County courthouse. Both monuments have been heavily debated in the past year, with a task force voting to recommend removing Vance Monument and commissioners approving changes to parts of 'Sylva Sam.'
Click here to view SPLC's full report.
