Group Wants Houston To Remove Iconic Hermann Park Statue

HOUSTON, TX — It's been a familiar sight since 1925, the statue of Sam Houston that looms over Hermann Park, but one group wants to tear it down, saying that Houston was the owner of slaves and is therefore not worthy of being celebrated.

"Texans agree the disgusting idols of America's dark days of slavery must be removed to bring internal peace to our country," Texas Antifa, the group behind the campaign to remove the statue, wrote on its Facebook page recently.

The group has planned a rally, to take place on June 10 at the statue, designed to call attention to its stance against "fascism and racism." Texas Antifa has also called for the removal of any other memorial or landmark bearing Houston's name.

In addition, Texas Antifa has petitioned Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to remove the Houston memorial, but the mayor is not biting.

“It's not even on my agenda. I haven't even given it any thought," Turner said, as reported by KPRC.

According to historical records, Houston owned 12 slaves, but as a senator voted numerous times against allowing slavery in new U.S. territories.

"It might alleviate some, some anger, but it'll also create some anger on the opposite side that you're taking down a statue of a man who helped create the state and what it is today," Paul Stykitus, resident of Houston, told KPRC, referring to Texas Antifa's campaign.

Houston, who died in 1863, was a politician and soldier. His victory at the Battle of San Jacinto secured Texas' independence from Mexico. Houston was the only governor of a future Confederate state to oppose secession, and he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.

Earlier this month, the city of New Orleans removed several statues of Confederate leaders, including one dedicated to Robert E. Lee.

— Image: Houston Parks/City of Houston