AUGUSTA DO NORTE, SC. (WRDW / WAGT) – “You can come here and quickly understand the history of the Hamburg Massacre, you can understand the history of Carrsville,” said activist Kenton Makin.
For Makin, the Carrsville site, a historic African American community, has special significance.
“… This is the accurate representation … Because honor, all victims,” he said.
But just over a kilometer away, in the center of North Augusta, a monument has a message. One who is different from Makin.
“… When you talk about the Meriwether monument. It is not enough that he talks about white supremacy, he incorporates and represents it, and I hate to use the word honor, but honor in that way, ”said Makin.
On Monday, he and two friends took their concerns to the state in a letter.
“It’s like going over the top of people who keep denying it for so long … So for us, it was a movement of power,” said friend Chris Hawkins.
170 letters and counting, sent directly to state leaders asking for one thing: “… needs to be withdrawn,” said Hawkins.
In August 2020, the North Augusta City Council agreed to a plan to add interpretive panels to provide more historical context in which the panels are currently under review.
“The first problem is that the Meriwether monument will still be very prominent, it will be the most prominent monument there …” said Makin.
It is a process that has been underway for three years. So, why was there a delay? Before anything can be done, the city needs to know who really owns it.
So they sent a letter to state leaders now that they are waiting for an answer.
“… It is disgusting to know that this monument is still standing,” said Hawkins.
And it is North Augusta is not alone. Augusta could move two Confederate monuments, but Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. says he wants the opinion of the community before proceeding.
“If it is up to us to continue to bring things to the fore, so that South Carolina can keep up with the times, that is the weight of the responsibility that we will assume,” said Makin.
The South Carolina legislature just met for the 2021 season, so they could send those letters soon. Augusta do Norte has plans to include funding for interpretive panels in this year’s budget.
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