Display of Robert E. Lee Portrait Called Racist by Local NAACP

Display of Robert E. Lee Portrait Called Racist by Local NAACP

on Wed, 14 Aug 2013

The NAACP in Lee County, Florida wants to picket the county over a portrait of General Robert E. Lee that hangs in the commission chambers because they deem displaying Lee's image to be racist.

"It's a symbol of racism and division," Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil said. 

According to Fox 4, "Muwakkil sent a letter to Lee County commissioners in early July, asking them to take down the portrait, but they voted to keep it up." 

On Sunday, Muwakkil fired off an email saying, "General Lee did not believe blacks should hold any positions in government."

Muwakkil is reportedly "brainstorming with the state NAACP President ways to move forward, which could include a sit-in at the chambers, picketing and protesting." The state NAACP is supporting Muwakkil's efforts.

District Two Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, a Lee County native, does not think the portrait of the Civil War general is divisive or racist.

"It's history, it's part of history of Lee County," Pendergrass told Fox 4. "There's a statue of him, a portrait, a Confederate uniform on Lee Street."