#MoveItNow: Billboard Tells Williamson County to Evict Confederate Monument
and remove all pavers honoring Confederate leaders in Georgetown’s Square
AUSTIN, Tx. – Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center raised a billboard in support of Wilco Patriots, which has been advocating for removal of a Confederate monument in front of the Historic Williamson County Courthouse for more than two and a half years. And with the addition of new pavers on the courthouse square, which “honor” Confederate soldiers, their efforts have increased to de-Confederate the historic Georgetown Square. The billboard is located on the east side of I-35, just south of Leander Road, in Georgetown. You may also find the location on Google Maps using these coordinates: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.6130743,-97.6862214,18z.
The following statement is from SPLC Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks:
“The placement of Confederacy symbols was systematic and intentional. This iconography continues to do the work their creators intended by serving as a warning to Black America that white supremacy ruled. Their presence in and around courthouses is a threat to equal justice, especially for people of color.
“This makes the Confederate imagery displayed by Williamson County doubly offensive and damaging. Not only does a Confederate statue sit in front of its courthouse, but its walkways are lined with pavers honoring traitors to the U.S. Thanks to advocates like Wilco Patriots, the Memorial Brick Program’s addition of new pavers honoring Confederate leaders was halted.
“The Georgetown Square should feel welcoming to all. While other Texas cities* have voluntarily removed Confederate memorials, this display warns Americans that Williamson County intentionally remains on the wrong side of history by protecting these dehumanizing symbols of pain and oppression.
“The SPLC stands in solidarity with Wilco Patriots, whose weekly presence and monthly rallies outside of the Historic Williamson County Courthouse have been met with threats and undue pressure not only from opposing heritage groups, but their own elected officials. We will continue to uplift their advocacy efforts and show our support.”
*Twelve Confederate memorials were removed from Texas’ public spaces in 2020. So far in 2021, the status of 11 memorials changed: 1 statue has been removed; 7 have been renamed; and at least 3 are pending removal or rename across the state.
To learn more about the efforts of Wilco Patriots to remove the Confederate monument from in front of Georgetown’s courthouse and the bricks embedded in its square, please visit their website or De-Confederate Georgetown’s Facebook page.
