Greetings to you all,
We started this petition not because we want to erase history or destroy confederate monuments. We started this petition because this country in light of the murder of George Floyd. His death has brought an awareness to this nation that social inequality and social injustice still exist and that we all need to step up and speak out against hate and racism. That is why this petition is so important.
These monuments were not erected for teaching moments, they were erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to pay homage to soldiers who were against the freedom of slaves. The monuments reside in front of a county courthouse where people of color still face harsher judgements for crime and offenses than their white counter parts. The very fact that we are having to beg the judge to hear our voices, when cities and states around the country are taking them down willing, speaks volumes about this counties stance on preservation of confederate beliefs instead of the promotion of unity and acceptance of all races. This is the reality:
"Most of the people who were involved in erecting the monuments were not necessarily erecting a monument to the past," said Jane Dailey, an associate professor of history at the University of Chicago."But were rather, erecting them toward a white supremacist future."
The endeaarance our opposers have to these monuments can continue in a cemetery or on private property which is our ask. So we have to stay focused on the mission to take them down.
Below you will find a link to the media coverage we received last week. The word has spread and we have so many supporters across the nation, but we still need your help now more than ever. Spread that coverage to your social media platforms in addition to the petitions. If you have already signed and already shared, we are asking you to share them again as people get busy and may have intended to sign but forgot. We are so close to reaching 5,000 so its time to give it another push.
Today we need a huge push of phone calls to the Bastrop County Courthouse asking Judge Paul Pape and the commissioners to place this item on the agenda for the June 22nd. Also you may write or fax a letter to County Clerk Rose Pietsch at the following:
803 Pine Street, Room 112 | Bastrop, Texas 78602 | Phone: (512) 332-7234 | Fax: (512) 332-7241
County Judge Paul Pape
Phone: (512) 332-7201
Pct. 1 Commissioner Mel Hamner (Bastrop area)
Phone: (512) 332-7295
Pct. 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett (Smithville area)
Phone: Phone: (512) 581-4002
Pct. 3 Commissioner Mark Meuth (Cedar Creek area)
Phone: (512) 581-4000
Pct 4 Commissioner Donna Snowden (Elgin area)
Phone: (512) 332-7267
Follow us on FB for updates: https://www.facebook.com/takethemdownbastropcounty/
Thank you again for fighting this battle with us! You all are instrumental in making this happen.