Donald Archer in front of the Confederate Monument after it was defaced
July 29. By Dave Yochum. A community organization with roots in the local faith community will hold a rally in front of Cornelius Town Hall followed by a march to the Confederate monument in front of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on Aug. 4, the anniversary of the monument’s dedication 111 years ago.
Unity in Community, whose founders include a former assistant pastor at Mt. Zion, plans a peaceful demonstration and a mock debate between an AME Zion minister, abolitionist Bishop James Walker Hood and Judge Armistead Burwell.
Burwell was the NC Supreme Court associate justice who gave the keynote speech at the dedication of the monument on Aug. 4, 1910.
The goal: Remove the statue which has been a thorn in the side of many church leaders for years.
Private association owns the land
The Mt. Zion Monumental Association controls the tiny patch of land under the monument, despite being on the front lawn of the church.
The co-senior pastors at Mt. Zion have called on the Association to remove the monument.
The primary contact for the association, Donald Archer, has not responded for comment.
Rally at 7 pm
The rally begins at 7 pm in front of Cornelius Town Hall. At some point rally-goers will march to the monument which is about a quarter of a mile away.
Recent history
The statue, which is not on church property, has been defaced at least twice in the recent past and with recent unrest there have been growing concerns that someone could be hurt during an effort to take down the statue. It is now fenced in and security cameras have been installed.
Protests and violence across the US following the murder of George Floyd brought a national reckoning to the treatment of African Americans over the years. Many Confederate monuments have been damaged, toppled or removed.
The Confederate Monument here includes the Confederate battle flag and a Confederate soldier standing at parade rest, with his rifle resting on the ground.
Masks are required for all unvaccinated attendees and recommended for those fully vaccinated. Social distancing strongly recommended. The event concludes at 8:30 pm. For more info, click here.
