Thousands of people have signed online petitions demanding that the Confederate monument located in Anderson, South Carolina, is replaced with a memorial for Black Panther’s star Chadwick Boseman.
Mr. Boseman, who was best known for his role as T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther, has passed away at the age of 43 after a long battle with colon cancer.
To commemorate the popular actor and get rid of a Confederate monument at the same time, thousands have signed online petitions that would see the statue of a Confederate soldier outside Anderson County Court House replaced with a memorial for Boseman.
“With Chadwick Boseman’s early passing, it is important that we honor a true local legend my immortalizing him in stone in front of the courthouse,” a petition started by a user known as Anderson Citizen reads.
As of this writing, the petition has already gained 60k signatures.
“The Confederate Monument belongs in a museum, but has no right to be displayed there. I believe the community should come together to honor someone from Anderson, South Carolina that was able to change the movie industry,” the petition adds.
“He opened many doors for many young black people with his leading roles in movies such as Black Panther or Marshall.point 238 |
It is only natural that his hometown honors what he did.point 46 | There is no need for political controversy in this decision.point 97 | The old statue need not be destroyed; however, with the engravings on the base, it is beyond time for its retirement.point 194 | ”point 197 | 1
Another petition for the monument to be replaced with Boseman’s memorial was started by DeAndre Weaver and has already racked up over 66k signatures.
As Weaver suggested, the Confederate monument no longer has a place in Anderson County and should be replaced with “something honoring Mr. Boseman.”
Previously, in June, the controversial monument was vandalized as part of protests following the death of George Floyd.
At the time, Terence Roberts, the mayor of Anderson, urged people to take a “judicious approach” when it comes to determining the future of the statue.
Replaced!