LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One month after the city's landmarks commission approved an appeal to remove the John B. Castleman statue in Cherokee Triangle, The Friends of Louisville Public Art, Louisville Historical League and other residents filed a complaint against the decision.
The complaint, filed June 10, appealed the commission's decision, saying it violated the Kentucky Constitution by concluding that the Architectural Review Committee's tie vote meant that the committee denied the city's request to remove the statue.
The Architectural Review Committee said its members had decided before the meeting that if a tie happened, the committee would decline the city’s request for removal permission.
The appeal also said officers and employees of Louisville Metro voted despite recusing in similar previous cases, causing a conflict of interest.
Additionally, the appeal said the recommendations of the Public Art and Monuments Advisory Committee were never considered by the commission. The group argued that the statue is a landmark and "icon" in the neighborhood.
Previously, Steve Wiser of the FOLPA said the group was hoping to correct the public's opinion of Castleman.
"We think it's been based on mischaracterizations and false facts," Wiser said. "We want to get the proper word out about the history of the Castleman. He was not the bigot or the segregationist the most have portrayed him to be."
The appeal asks that the court declare the decision null and void.
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