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Historic vote: Jefferson Davis statue to be removed from the Kentucky Capitol rotunda

Jefferson Davis' statue will be moved to Fairview, Kentucky where he was born.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The statue of Jefferson Davis will be leaving the Kentucky State Capitol rotunda.

The state's Historic Properties Advisory Commission voted 11-1 Friday afternoon in favor of removing the statue of the former President of the Confederate States, which has sat in a corner of the Capitol rotunda for more than 80 years.

"The statue was placed to reaffirm a legacy of white supremacy, a.k.a. the Confederacy, during a time when black Kentuckians lived with threats of violence and lynchings," Cathy Thomas, one of the commission members, said.'

The commission voted to move the statue to Davis's birthplace in Fairview, Kentucky. some on the commission said its current location lacks historical context or educational value.

"It needs to be understood. It needs to be contextualized," commission member Craig Potts said. "It can't be done in that space and also have that space be honorary and uplift us."

But Brandon Wilson, the lone dissenting vote, said he was against the statue's removal because it sets a dangerous precedent. He also asked for a motion to remove all the statues from the state house, but was told that was outside the scope of the meeting.

"We're on a slippery slope here," Wilson said. "What do we protect. What do we not?"

Outside the state house, a lone protestor walked with a sign in defense of the statue of Davis, claiming Davis was responsible for all of President Abraham Lincoln's accomplishments.

"I don't feel like I need other people," Ron King from Estill County, said. "I don't feel that one person means there isn't a big push."

Governor Andy Beshear also applauded the commission's decision.

"Today is a move toward showing that everybody is welcome in this building," he said.

The Department of Parks confirmed the statue will go to the Jefferson Davis State Park in Fairview, but said details relating to the relocation have not yet been finalized.

Governor Andy Beshear released this statement after the vote:

"Today has been a historic day in the Commonwealth. Pursuant to my request, the Historic Properties Advisory Commission met and, in a bipartisan vote, voted to remove the Jefferson Davis statue from our Rotunda. It was past time for this vote and for this action. But what it will mean is that we get a little closer to truly being Team Kentucky – that every child who walks into this Capitol feels welcome, and none of them have to look at a symbol and a statue that stands for the enslavement of their ancestors. Today is a move toward showing that everybody is welcome in this building and that our government should work for the betterment of every single Kentuckian – that we have systematic issues that we must address, but that now is the time to truly move forward, to truly make progress and to show that Team Kentucky includes every single Kentuckian.”

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