By Lynsey Smith
FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — Members of Project Say Something have teamed up with the City of Florence to establish a new historical marker. They say the proposed marker was supposed to be discussed and approved at Tuesday’s city council meeting, but they were shocked to find it wasn’t even listed on the council’s agenda.
“The Southern Poverty Law Center has been following this story from the beginning…congratulating us and commending the City of Florence,” Project Say Something Co-Deputy Director Unique Dunston said. “They are recognized internationally and nationally. All eyes again are on Florence and they have let us down again.”
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The proposed marker aims to address and denounce the racist sentiments expressed during the dedication speech of the “Eternal Vigil” confederate monument. The Florence-based nonprofit organization staged dozens of protests against this monument between 2020-2022.
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Some are for the proposed marker.
“Honestly what I want is from the to relocate the monument,” Project Say Something Co-Deputy Director Lee Murkey stated. “This was already a compromise and my patience is running out for this process.”
Some are not for the proposed marker.
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“That’s the only reason why I’m out here…to show that there are citizens out here that will come out in public and say they are against this marker because they want to bring up a speech,” Florence Resident David Carson said. “They only bring up a couple of sentences of a very long speech – they should list the whole thing.”
Councilwoman Kaytrina Simmons says she was under the impression the proposed marker would be listed on Tuesday’s agenda.
“It was this afternoon that I called and asked if it was going to be on there,” Simmons stated. “President Jordan said it would not. He just said that we had a lot on the agenda. I think the full council wasn’t ready to move forward with it.”
Simmons says she wanted it on the agenda.
“It’s been a long time coming and I just want to see something happen so we can move forward,” Simmons said.
Simmons says the council anticipates discussing the proposed marker at its next city council meeting.
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