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Franklin residents demand return of Robert E. Lee marker after nighttime removal; city says right‑of‑way law required action
Summary
Dozens of residents pressed Franklin officials Aug. 21 after the city removed a Robert E. Lee monument at night and returned it to Franklin Township. Officials said the stone sat in the public right‑of‑way and removal followed law and safety concerns; the township will decide where to relocate it.
Dozens of residents filled Franklin City Hall on Aug. 21 to demand the return of a Robert E. Lee monument that city crews removed at night and returned to Franklin Township.
At the podium, LeAnn Brewer said the marker had stood for more than 90 years and asked council to put it back. Samantha Carr presented what the transcript records as 2,707 signatures urging the monument’s return. "We want to keep our history," Brewer said. Brandon Epperson, identifying himself with the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said the marker is part of local history and urged correct contextualization rather than removal.
Mayor Denny Centers and City Manager Sonny Lewis told residents that the marker had been located in the public right‑of‑way. "With it being in the right‑of‑way, we had to remove it — it’s the law," Lewis said, explaining he directed a nighttime removal for safety. Mayor Centers said the stone was returned to Franklin Township and that the township will decide where to place it.
Several residents said the removal should have been handled differently and criticized the timing. Some offered private property as possible relocation sites. The meeting became heated at points; Police Chief Russ Whitman warned that disruptive language or threats would draw warnings and could lead to removal or arrest.
A speaker identified in the transcript as Corey Andon, associated with the Socialist Alternative Group, criticized the monument and was escorted out after commenting from the audience. Other attendees expressed frustration that the action appeared sudden and urged clearer local coordination with the township and residents.
Mayor Centers said the city will await whatever Franklin Township decides at its upcoming meeting and encouraged residents to contact township officials if they have offers to host the marker. He acknowledged the handling could have been better and stressed public safety as the reason for the removal.
The council did not vote on the monument. The next procedural step recorded in the meeting transcript is the Franklin Township meeting scheduled for Thursday, at which township officials will consider relocation and ownership questions.
