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Fayette County approves historical marker commemorating seven victims of racial violence
Summary
After public testimony from community members and a brief board debate over wording, the Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to place a historical marker at the county’s old courthouse in partnership with the Fayette County Community Remembrance Coalition and the Equal Justice Initiative.
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to place a historical marker at the Fayette County Old Courthouse to commemorate seven local citizens whose lives were taken in acts of racial violence.
Public commenters urged the Board to approve the marker. "These markers would be a sign of respect to the families of those who tragically lost their lives and a way to bring awareness and acknowledgement to the events that happened," said Alice Jones of Fayetteville. Bill Graybill of the Fayette County Community Remembrance Coalition (FCCRC) described the coalition’s efforts to raise awareness and host community events, saying the group "embraced a vision of a beloved community where their shared history is known and understood, and where its residents can flourish." Janice Bryant of the FCCRC said the coalition had worked on the project since January 2021 in collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).
On the dais, Commissioner Charles W. Oddo said he supported the marker’s purpose but proposed adding language that acknowledged community progress since the events, arguing that recognition of advances could be unifying. "Remembering the past is beneficial; I’d like to see wording that also acknowledges the progression and change that has taken place," Oddo said. Commissioner Charles D. Rousseau thanked FCCRC for bringing the initiative forward but cautioned that adding broad contextual language to the marker itself could be controversial; he supported including text that noted the coalition’s contributions.
Commissioner Oddo moved to approve placement of the historical marker in partnership with FCCRC and EJI; Commissioner Rousseau seconded the motion, which passed 4-0 (Commissioner Eric K. Maxwell absent).
The marker project will proceed in partnership with the FCCRC and EJI, and the Board’s approval authorizes staff to work with the organizations on placement and wording. The Board did not adopt specific final marker language during the Nov. 13 meeting. The item had drawn public comment immediately before the Board’s discussion and vote.
