GASTONIA, N.C. -- The Gaston County Board of Commissioners reversed its decision to relocate a Confederate statue in front of the courthouse after the group expected to receive it didn’t accept it.

What You Need To Know

  • Gaston Co. Commissioners approved resolution to keep Confederate monument after group didn't accept statue

  • People who protested to relocate statue are upset about the change

  • The Gaston Co. Board of Commissioners Chairman said the relocation could be brought up at a later date for consideration

After months of discussion, on August 3, commissioners voted in favor of gifting the statue to the Charles Q. Petty Camp of the North Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans with the purpose of relocating it on private property. On Tuesday, the commissioners approved rescinding the resolution they passed after officials said the Sons of Confederate Veterans didn’t accept legal ownership of the statue.

Gaston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tracy Philbeck said their decision needed to be made for legal purposes.

“When the commission does a resolution that is considered a law in the county, so when the Sons of Confederate Veterans decided they didn’t want to take it, you have to rescind it,” Philbeck said.

In addition, he said commissioners could bring up the relocation for consideration again. However, some residents remained skeptical because a proposed amendment to the resolution emphasizing the county intended to relocate statue failed.

Kaily Reid, who has been protesting the relocation of the statue, was disappointed and upset about Tuesday’s decision. She said the wording of the resolution doesn’t clarify whether the statue will remain in its current location temporarily or permanently.

“Being civil, it got us nowhere. I feel like my time has been wasted. I feel like going back on your word. You can no longer be trusted. I don’t see how you can trust themselves,” Reid said.

Gaston County Freedom Fighters Co-Founder Ashley Rivera expressed her frustration to the board after she said groups have protested peacefully.

“I’m angry. After you guys supposedly finally reached an understanding and listened to us, you want to go back on your word?”  Rivera said.

Some people, like Angie Killman, were happy with the resolution that would allow the statue to remain outside the courthouse.

“I’m glad. It’s part of our history. Everybody is wanting to erase history. You erase history, you repeat history,” Killman said.

Others like Sierra Hall don’t believe the statue should remain in front of the courthouse.

"That statue being there it's a mockery to us. It’s shameful and we should not have it there. That symbol of hate standing outside of a courtroom that is supposed to deliver justice for all people, it’s stating one thing: that a certain race of people in this county feel like they are superior to another race,” Sierra Hall said.

Killman said the statue is not a symbol of hate. She hopes the relocation of the statue will not be brought up again in the future.

“Just let it be, it’s history. It's not hurting anybody,” Killman said.

Killman said if other monuments in the city are allowed to stay, the Confederate statue should too.

Currently, both the Confederate statue and the monument honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Gastonia are being protected by fences. In addition, law enforcement officials have been guarding them during commissioner meetings.