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Opelousas man says confederate statue representation hits close to home; attends Juneteenth rally for statue removal

Opelousas man says confederate statue representation hits close to home; attends Juneteenth rally for statue removal
Posted at 11:31 PM, Jun 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-20 00:31:11-04

The Mouton Statue still standing as the fight to have it removed took center stage on Juneteenth.

Juneteenth, a day of freedom for slaves in Texas two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Mouton a confederate general.

One man who says what the statue represents hits way close to home for him.

Protesters in downtown Lafayette chanting to have the statue of General Alfred Mouton removed.

Kevin Ross says he attended the rally because the standing of the Mouton statue is a standing representation of a time in history when black people were used and treated like property, instead of human beings.

"Too much over the course of my life time that has kind of been swept under the rug, a lot of misinfomation and non-education," said Ross.

Opelousas native, Kevin Ross says Juneteenth brings about a tragic memory for his family. 20 years ago today while living in Texas, a group of men burned a large cross in front of his home. Ross says it's something that has taken a toll on his entire family.

"Juneteenth has a special place in our hearts as a family and it came as a result of violence," said Ross.

There was talk of those in attendance Friday evening taking down the statue themselves. Move the Mindset organizer, Fred Prejean says taking a violent approach to getting this type of thing done, isn't progress, but more of a setback. Prejean encouraged attendees to remain peaceful and continue to do the work.

"It's time for people to wake up and be responsible for their part in the problem. It's time for everyone to make the change to change that," said protester Joyce Hill.

"We just hope their lives were not in vain, not taken in vain and that we can do our small part to hopefully continue on with change," said Ross.

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