“We The People” Rally Wants Legislature To Discuss Heritage Act

Columbia, SC (WOLO)– In front of the Statehouse, a coalition of groups gathered to start a dialogue about the Heritage Act and how that affects how monuments can, or cannot be moved.  The groups say this is peaceful and simply a way to start a dialogue to hopefully get the legislature to look at the Heritage Act when they come back into session.

“We do not feel the Confederate monuments are representative to all the people of South Carolina. They’re in a public place. Public means all, it means everyone, it’s not just for one group of peoples heritage, it’s for all of us,” Michelle Edgar said, the director of outreach with the Greater Columbia Action Together. 

Which is a statement the Secessionist party says is hypocritical of their main mission.

“When you have one monument on one side of the statehouse that literally tells the history of only one race of our state. I don’t mind the monument being there like I said, I’m not for the removal of any monuments,” James Bessenger said, chairman of the S.C. Secessionist party. 

The coalition of about five different activist groups are emphasizing they do not want the monuments to be destroyed but moved to a location more suitable for their means.

“To amend a law or repeal a law is a legal process. It takes dialogue, it takes time. Replacing these or relocating these statues to another location is meant to be respectful of all people. We are not advocating to break these down, we’re not advocating for violence. We are advocating for peaceful dialogue,” Edgar said. 

“To bring awareness to the heritage act and just how restrictive it is for local municipalities and we’d like to reopen debate on that at the state level,” Kim Baker said, co-chair of Indivisible Midlands. 

“I don’t think the legislature is going to pay this any attention,” Bessenger said. 

Right now, the Heritage Act passed in 2000 requires 2/3rds of the state legislature to approve the removal of historical statues. 

“I think before we can even figure out a solution we have to open up a public discussion and debate. And that’s what I think tonight is all about. Just a peaceful way of saying and calling attention to the issues, especially after Charlottesville,” Baker said. 

“I don’t think we have to have this conversation, I especially don’t think we have to have this conversation with organizations that are only trying to come out of the woodwork following what happened in Charlottesville,” Bessenger said

The people at the rally say it is not about erasing history — it is about rethinking the history the state celebrates.