Residents urge Williamson County commission to seek waiver to remove Confederate imagery from county seal

Four residents used the July 14 public-comment period at the Williamson County Board of Commissioners meeting to urge commissioners to remove the Confederate flag from the county seal and to file a waiver petition with the Tennessee Monuments and Memorials Commission. Samantha Ozan, a Franklin parent, asked the commission to "please vote and approve a resolution to submit a waiver petition to the Tennessee Monuments And Memorials Commission to remove the Confederate flag from the Williamson County seal."

Corey Martin, speaking for a group called 1Wilco, said the symbol is "associated with racism, oppression, and intimidation of African Americans," and argued removal would send a message that Black and Brown residents "are respected, valued, and fully welcome in our government buildings, in our schools, and in our community." Dustin Cocter referenced an earlier mayor's task force report and a September resolution (identified in his remarks as resolution 9-20-18) that he said had recommended removal, and he asked commissioners to "pass a new resolution, to submit a waiver petition to the memorials and monuments commission, and to stay the course to do what's right."

Emily Paisley, who said she was speaking in favor of changing the seal, compared the symbol to other widely recognized symbols of hate and said the county should consider the effect on students and community members who experience racial bullying.

Speakers cited the Heritage Protection Act and a recent amendment to it as part of the legal backdrop; several urged a new county resolution to start the formal process under state law. No county vote on a waiver petition or a resolution to submit a petition was recorded during the July 14 meeting. County commissioners did not take action on the request during the session; the comments were recorded as citizen communications.

Speakers said institutions and companies elsewhere had removed Confederate symbols in recent years and urged Williamson County to follow. Commissioners did not debate or vote on the matter at the meeting; the public comments were entered into the record for commissioners’ consideration.