Kentucky Democratic Governor Calls Removal of Jefferson Davis Statue a 'Step Forward'

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear applauded the removal of a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the state capitol's rotunda, and called it a "step forward" for the state and those who visit the building.

He shared those words along with a photo of the statue being removed. "After calling for its removal and urging the Historic Properties Advisory Commission to act, today I pressed the button to bring it down," he wrote on Twitter Saturday. "Now, every child who walks into their Capitol feels welcome. Today we took a step forward for the betterment of every single Kentuckian."

Many government buildings have been removing Confederate symbols in wake of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd. Statues and monuments linked to the Confederacy have been removed in Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee – after officials passed decisions to displace the structures or were torn down by demonstrators.

In a statement released following the vote to remove the statue, Beshear, a Democrat, voiced his support of the decision. "It was past time for this vote and for this action. But what it will mean is that we get a little closer to truly being Team Kentucky – that every child who walks into this Capitol feels welcome, and none of them have to look at a symbol and a statue that stands for the enslavement of their ancestors," he said.

According to the Courier Journal, the Historic Properties Advisory Commission met in a video conference online to vote on the decision, and it was passed with an 11-1 vote.

Beshear concluded the statement by saying that the statue's removal is a show that all are welcome in the building and a positive step for Kentucky residents. "Today is a move toward showing that everybody is welcome in this building and that our government should work for the betterment of every single Kentuckian – that we have systematic issues that we must address, but that now is the time to truly move forward, to truly make progress and to show that Team Kentucky includes every single Kentuckian," he said.

Newsweek reached out to Beshear's office for comments.

Jason Nemes, a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, also celebrated the decision. "We honor our history — the good and the bad — but in this room is what we want to celebrate," he told the Courier Journal. "And I think it's a wonderful thing that we don't want to celebrate Jeff Davis anymore."