Excerpt from Your4State.com:
The final vote for removing a controversial statue in the city of Frederick is underway
There have been four proposals submitted by Frederick City Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak for the removal of the Roger Brooke Taney statue and this is the first time it has gone to resolution.
“I think that this decision has been widely supported by so many people in the public and so many elected officials that this bust needs to go. It simply needs to go from the front of city hall,” said Frederick City Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak.
Taney who is known widely as a chief U.S. Supreme Court justice is also known for affirming slavery in the 1857 Dred Scott Decision. Taney ruled that a Missouri slave was still considered a slave even though he traveled into free territory with his slave master.
“This building used to be a courthouse but today it’s city hall and city hall is really the people’s house and as such it should be a place of welcoming for everyone it should be a place of inclusion to represent progress for the future,” said Josh Bokee Frederick City Alderman.
Opponents however say the statue needs to stay because it represents history and taking the statue down doesn’t mean history will be erased.
“There are a group of people that feel it’s inappropriate to have it in front of city hall and I agree with that. I think that what we find important today changes,” said Frederick City Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak.
The city of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission is set to vote on its relocation this coming Thursday. In the event they vote against it, Frederick Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak says she will continue to fight for its removal.
The Frederick City Historic Preservation Commission will also vote to remove the statue of Governor Thomas Johnson from city hall as well.
