Washington D.C. – In response to the passage of H.R. 7573, a bill that removes Confederate statues and other racist symbols from the U.S. Capitol building, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel:

“Our country is reckoning with its history of racial violence and the persistent systemic inequalities that continue today. One part of that reckoning is reflecting on the fact that we shamefully continue to honor individuals in public spaces who rose to prominence upholding slavery and other examples of systemic racism. Our organization is committed to fostering a sense of inclusion in the outdoors and other public spaces, which are supposed to be for all people to enjoy. The presence of symbols that glorify the Confederacy is antithetical to that goal.  

Our nation’s racist history must not be forgotten — but it is past time to remove Confederate statues and other symbols that pay tribute to slavery, bigotry, and white supremacy from public spaces, particularly the U.S. Capitol building, a symbol of the people and our government where those inside are supposed to fight for all. We as a nation cannot tolerate white supremacists any longer and we stand with Black leaders and organizers who are calling to have these violent and oppressive symbols removed.”

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