HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Residents in Hollywood are at odds regarding the renaming of streets named after Confederate generals and a Ku Klux Klan member.
Protesters gathered outside of the Hollywood City Hall early Wednesday, to make their voices heard. Some of those voices were in favor, while others were against the removal of the controversial street names.
One of the streets in question include Forrest Street, named after Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan member Nathan Bedford Forrest. Other streets include Lee Street, named after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Hood Street, named after John Bell Hood.
The Hollywood City Commission held a meeting, Wednesday night, where advocates for and against the removing of street names spoke out.
Five protesters who went to the meeting were arrested.
“These streets have important names in history,” said Sons of Confederate Veterans Jim Odel.
Odel and others stepped up to the mic at the the city commission meeting to share their concerns. Some said the street names are an important part of history while others called it a painful reminder of the past.
“They were out to destroy the government of the United States,” said Hollywood resident Benjamin Israel. “Why should they be heroes? That’s ridiculous.”
“Robert E. Lee was a great, and is still a great role model for people,” Sons of Confederate Veterans Raymond Hatfield.
One resident is the descendant of a confederate soldier.
“My great-great grandfather was a confederate soldier, and I’m proud of that. How can you erase history?” she said.
Some residents were concerned less with the street names, and more with the cost of changing them. Though it’s unclear how much it would cost to replace the names, some residents would prefer that the money be spent elsewhere.
“All I gotta say is, look — City of Hollywood, Hollywood residents, Hollywood tax payers — forget the outside voice,” said Raymond Santos, who is against changing the street names.
The argument over the street names is one that has been going on for a number of years.
“Every day we walk out the door, we’re looking at these slave-owner names, and obviously, we’ve been here for a long time trying to get these names changed,” said Desmond Inman.
“Asking the city commission to do what the people have asked them to do, and that is to take those signs down,” said Florida Rep. Shervin Jones.
“I’m here to actually show that when the community is united together, we can make real changes,” said Tiffany Burks. “There’s been three streets in Hollywood, Florida that are named after Confederate generals that fought to protect the institution of slavery, and we’re saying that we want those streets changed immediately.”
However, not all the protesters are in favor of changing the names. Many protesters could be heard chanting, “Confederate lives matter,” while carrying Confederate flags and Blue Live Matter flags.
“It should remain the same since it’s a part of Southern identity, Southern culture and Southern history,” said Christopher Chedeno.
Police were on scene in order to keep the peace. Thirty-six people signed up to speak at the city commission meeting.
Of the seven members on the Hollywood commission board, five would have to back the plan for the street’s to be renamed. So far, only three have agreed.
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