Gov. Jindal Moves to Block Removal of All Historical Statues, Including Confederate

Alex Wong/Getty Images
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R) is looking for a way to block attempts to remove historical statues–statues of Confederate leaders in this instance–from their current positions in New Orleans.

Jindal’s presidential campaign described efforts to remove the Confederate statues as “political correctness run amok.”

The statues marked for removal include one of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and P.G.T. Beauregard. Breitbart News previously reported that New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu was spearheading the effort to have the statues removed.

According to Buzzfeed, Jindal spokesperson Shannon Dirmann said:

The Governor opposes tearing down these historical statues and has instructed his staff to look into all relevant laws to determine the legal authority we have to stop it. We need to preserve our history to remember what we’ve learned and how far we’ve come. This is political correctness run amok. What’s next? Maybe we can edit our history books too, and then burn all the books we disagree with.

Mayor Landrieu did not comment on Jindal’s efforts to protect historical statues, but his spokesperson said the mayor is calling for “a 60-day period of public discussion to encourage opportunities for people to respectfully engage in public discussion about these statues … It is important that all those who are interested have an opportunity to share their perspective and opinion about this issue.”

The New Orleans Advocate said various members the Landrieu administration claim “the statues were erected a century or more ago as part of the ‘Lost Cause’ movement, aimed at rehabilitating the Confederacy.” They also claim the statues served as “emblems of white supremacy” when Democrats were opposing the expansion of liberties for blacks “during the era of the civil rights movement.”

On July 7 the Memphis City Council voted to exhume the body of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and sell the city’s statue of him “to anyone who wants it.” But Breitbart News previously reported that the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act protects all historical statues in the state and shields the statue of Forrest from removal.

Jindal wants similar protection for historical statues in Louisiana.

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.

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