NORTH CAROLINA -- The confederate monument in Gaston County was dedicated over a century ago by the Daughters of the Confederacy. However, in the last few weeks, the monument has been the center of controversy

The monument stood outside the original county courthouse and then moved to the new courthouse in the ‘90s.

Gaston County Freedom Fighters have advocated for the removal or relocation of the statue.

Bill Starnes, a longtime member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans of Gaston County, doesn’t want the statue removed, but fears it will be vandalized.

His group applied to the county to find a new place for the statue on private land if the vote is to remove it.

“We will find a nice piece of land, get donations, and create a nice area for the monument for hopefully eternity,” Starnes says.

Leaders of the Freedom Fighters say the decision has taken too long, and they believe commissioners are stalling.

“Other counties the decision has come in days, and here we are seven weeks later, and no final decision has been made,” said Angela Rivera.

If it is relocated, Chairman Philbeck proposes a new war memorial that honors all veterans from all wars.

The vote will take place Monday at the courthouse.