Arkansas monument protection bill fails in state committee

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An Arkansas House committee has defeated a measure that would have made it illegal to remove or alter any military or historical monument on public property in the state, including those honouring the Confederacy.

The State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Tuesday against the bill , which would have only allowed alterations to monuments after a historical agency granted a waiver.

Republican state Sen. Mark Johnson and Rep. Mark Lowery, who sponsored the bill, had changed it since it passed the Senate so it didn’t cover streets, reserves or preserves. It would have still made it illegal to alter or remove statues, schools, buildings, and bridges, among other dedications.

Opponents were concerned that it would remove local control, while those in favour said it would protect history from political whims.