Baltimore Panel Recommends Removing 2 Confederate Monuments

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Will the Confederate monuments in Baltimore be removed? While some argue they're symbols of racism, others believe they hold historical significance.

Tracey Leong has more on the looming decision.

The task force deciding the monuments' future met Thursday and said there is still a lot to consider before they reach a final decision.

Will they stay or will they go?

Four Confederate monuments in Baltimore -- the Lee and Jackson, the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors, the Confederate Women's of Maryland and the Roger B. Taney -- are all up for review.

The debate started last summer after the removal of the Confederate flag in South Carolina following the murders of nine church members in Charleston. The suspect reportedly wanted to start a race war.

This, sparking a heated discussion involving the Confederate symbols in Baltimore.

"It does not need to be here. This, basically, is symbolism of racism," said one man.

"Erected by people who had a passion for this history," another man said.

Baltimore's mayor created a task force to help make a decision about the controversial monuments.

"Race is always something very difficult to talk about. History is always something that's really difficult to talk about," said Aaron Bryant, museum curator.

After passionate discussions...

"That Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument has bothered me for a long time," said one man.

"Leave the Confederates sleep and rest and don't move them," one woman said.

The commission recommended removing the Lee and Jackson Monument as well as the Roger B. Taney, which is considered by some the most racist.

"Statements in Dred Scott is close to the most reprehensible thing the Supreme Court has ever said," said Larry S. Gibson, law professor.

These are not the final recommendations. The task force will meet again in the next six weeks to further discuss the implications of their plan.

The final report will be presented to the mayor for review.