Mayor who pulled Confederate statues honoured with JFK award

BOSTON – The former mayor of New Orleans has been honoured for his leadership in removing Confederate memorials in his city.

Mitch Landrieu (LAN’-droo) was presented with the 2018 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Sunday night in Boston for standing behind his decision to take down four monuments.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation paid tribute to Landrieu for taking the action despite legal challenges and outright threats from those who insist the Confederacy is an important part of New Orleans’ heritage.

In his speech, Landrieu acknowledged that history cannot be changed, but said that we are far enough removed “to acknowledge, understand, reconcile and, most importantly, choose a better future for ourselves.”

President Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, made the presentation.

The award has been presented annually since 1989.