By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed the Memorials Preservation Act, SB60, into law. The bill protects Alabama’s many monuments and memorials from being destroyed or removed by local governments.
The City of New Orleans recently destroyed century old Confederate Memorials for political correctness. The State of Louisiana did nothing to protect its history.
State Representative Mac Butler (R-Rainbow City) said on social media, “I just received word from Governor Ivey’s Office that the Monument Protection Act was just signed moments ago and is now law. Thank you Gov. Ivey and Sen Gerald Allen. I was very proud to have been the House sponsor for this very historic piece of Legislation.”
Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) said in a statement, “I appreciate Governor Ivey standing up for the thoughtful preservation of Alabama’s history. Contrary to what its detractors say, the Memorial Preservation Act is intended to preserve all of Alabama’s history – the good and the bad – so our children and grandchildren can learn from the past to create a better future.”
Grassroots activists played a large role in building popular support for the Legislation.
The President of the Southern Historical Protection Group, Mike Williams told the Alabama Political Reporter, “After three years we can finally move forward and stop dividing this state as we now have some protections for the heritage and faithful servants that served their state with honor. I thank Governor Ivey for signing this bill and thank all of the legislature who saw that this would be a protection for our history.”
The Southern historical preservation group, Save Our South said, “Alabama’s Monument Bill SB60 has BEEN SIGNED!! Thank you Governor Kay Ivey for taking a stand against Liberal indoctrination!! Thanks again to the sponsors Representative Mack Butler and Senator Gerald Allen!!”
The Memorial Preservation Act prohibits the destruction or alteration of monuments older than forty years, but establishes a standing committee to hear waiver requests from cities and counties, while historic artifacts under the control of museums, archives, libraries, and universities are specifically exempt from the prohibition against removal or alteration.
The Act passed the State Senate by a 23 to 6 vote and was approved by the House of Representatives 69 to 0.
The Memorial Preservation Act or “monuments bill” was a key promise that both the House and Senate Republican Caucuses made with voters prior to the 2017 Legislative Session.
