NAACP demands removal of Confederate monument

Shreveport's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People branch and the National Action Network is asking for the removal of a local Confederate monument.

This call to action echoes across the nation as state governments and corporations alike begin removing symbols of the Confederate States of America.

"The Last Confederate Flag," which depicts the four generals of the Confederacy and a Confederate soldier, stands tall in front of the Caddo Parish Courthouse on Texas Streets.

"It's a glaring monument," said Lloyd Thompson, president of Shreveport's NAACP branch.

Thompson said now is the time to relocate the statue.

"We shouldn't have a statue like that in a place where people have to walk by it on their way to plead a case or face a judge," Thompson said.

Artis Cash, NAN branch president, said the first step in the monument's removal will be to talk to the 12 Caddo Parish commissioners in the hopes of rallying their support.

He said if they get the support they need, removing the statue should be easy.

"The situation is such that we should be able to get it down quickly," Cash said. "From what we've been told it should not be a major feat and is going to cost between $200,000-$300,000."

However, Cash said some believe the removal of the statue is not up for debate.

Claims that the land the statue sits on is owned by the Daughters of the Confederacy, which would make it private property, but Cash rebuts these claims stating the parish courthouse is public property and can't be owned by a private entity.

Still, despite any opposition, Thompson said he will do what is necessary to make Caddo residents stand up and unite to push Caddo into the future.

"Now is the time for the community to come together and say 'Let's appreciate the past, but let's move forward,'" Thompson said.