Two Turncoat Republicans Join Virginia Democrats to Support Anti-Confederate Statue Bill

New legislation was approved yesterday in the Virginia Senate, and made its way through the House today, allowing localities to decide the fate of Confederate statues. The bill then goes to Democrat Governor Ralph Northam’s desk to likely be signed into law. It comes as no surprise to those who have been following the situation as both chambers had passed legislation previously, it was supposed to be just a matter of them agreeing on the exact wording. What came as a shock to many is that two Republican Senators, Bryce Reeves, and Emmett Hanger, voted in favor of the final bill.

Previously, the Memorials for War Veterans Code of Virginia 15.2-1812 permitted the erection of monuments or memorials for any war or conflict. Once erected, it shall be unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation, and care of same.

With the new bill, Confederate or Union Monuments have been struck from being able to be erected as well as the entire portion of it being unlawful for the localities to disturb them or to prevent its citizens from taking proper care. That has been replaced by saying that notwithstanding any other provision of law, a locality may remove, relocate, contextualize, or cover any such monument or memorial on the locality’s public property, not including a monument or memorial located in a publicly owned cemetery.

Republican and 2021 candidate for governor, Amanda Chase, said during the Senate debate that slavery was evil.

“But it doesn’t mean that we take all of these monuments down,” she continued. “We remember our past and we learn from it.”

Previously, Republican Senator Bill Stanley of Henry County said of the Democrats’ strategy that, “It’s like a jewelry store smash and grab.” “They’re going to grab everything they possibly can while they can get it before the lights go on and the siren goes off.”

With the latest news, it appears there are some Republicans that are willing to participate in this heist of history. While there may be less hurt feelings by some of those who may view these memorials, there is no evidence that removing them changes a localities crime rate or provides any other positive effects moving forward.

A Confederate heritage advocacy group, “The Virginia Flaggers”, have made multiple posts denouncing the two Republican groups who supported the bill. They appear to generally support Republicans, and vice versa, but in this instance, they obviously aren’t pleased. In one post they said: “Republican Bryce Reeves voted with Democrats to allow localities to destroy any war memorial they deem “offensive”. He is a retired Army Green Beret and he just voted to dishonor every veteran in our commonwealth. We will not forget spineless turncoats when election time rolls around. ” See post below: