Wasserman Schultz Wants FL Confederate Statue OUT Of U.S. Capitol

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in urging Florida officials to call a special session to replace the state's statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith in the U.S. Capitol during the Florida legislature’s upcoming interim meetings in Tallahassee.

Wasserman Schultz sent letters Tuesday to Gov. Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and Senate President Joe Negron.  

"We must denounce symbols of white supremacy and stand up for love an compassion -- not just with our words, but with our deeds," the letters state. "No family visiting our nation's Capitol should have to explain to their child that the statue representing our state honors someone who fought for a philosophy built on hatred, inequality and oppression." 

Florida’s 2016 legislation called for a committee to recommend three Florida figures as candidates to replace the Confederate statue. 

The panel chose educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, Everglades preservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Publix founder George W. Jenkins Jr.

The Florida Senate this year passed a bill backing a Bethune statue. 

A House measure favoring Douglas stalled in committee. According to the letters, the Florida House "...refused to hear any legislation."

All three letters have been co-signed by every Democrat in the Florida delegation.


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