Pamela Sleezer

DERIDDER — Two Beauregard Parish residents on Tuesday asked the Police Jury to once again reconsider its request for the New Orleans statue of confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard.

The Rev. Mike Harris, director of the Beauregard Community Coalition, and First Baptist Church pastor Josh Eubanks told the panel’s Ways and Means Committee that DeRidder could become a site for violent protests if the statue is brought to the parish.

“This generation is not like the older generations, and people causing violence will not be people who live here,” Harris said. “It will be people who are not from here, who will come down to torment our city and tear up our city, and then run back home and leave us to deal with the residual.”

Eubanks echoed Harris’ concerns and offered up what he called a “peaceful solution,” suggesting the panel rescind the resolution approved in June and commission a monument to peace, harmony and unity to be placed on the courthouse lawn.

Eubanks suggested the monument be paid for by private citizens, organizations and businesses in the parish.

“I think that could quiet down what could potentially be some more harmful things going on in our parish,” Eubanks said. “And it also allows our jurors to be leaders in our community and set the tone for unity.”

Also at the meeting, Jacob Marceaux spoke briefly in support of the Police Jury’s request for the statue.

No action was taken Tuesday, but member Carlos Archield, the sole juror to openly oppose the statue request, said he remains hopeful other members will take to heart what they heard.

“I hope at some point to see us all agree to rescind the resolution,” Archield said.

New Orleans Police Mounted Patrol stand by the Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard Confederate monument in City Park May 16 after moving the public back in New Orleans. Workers in New Orleans took down the monument early the next day.

Associated Press