Confederate Memorial Hearing in Pitt County | Eastern North Carolina Now

    News Release:

Compatriots,

We have big news coming over the next week. Our legal team, headed by NC Division SCV Judge Advocate James B. Wilson, Jr. and SCV Judge Advocate in Chief H. Edward Phillips, continues to defend our heritage in Pitt County.

    The Pitt County Board of Commissioners, under cover of darkness, illegally removed the Confederate Memorial several years ago and most recently decided to try donating the memorial for relocation to what we now know to be out of state, in a park more than four hours away in our neighboring state of Virginia.

    The amended complaint we filed earlier this year in Pitt County, and our brief opposing Pitt County's motion to dismiss are attached. We believe this is our strongest monument case yet in defense of the North Carolina Heritage Protection Act (AKA, Monument Protection Law), our Confederate ancestors, and the rights of our members. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Monday, the 19th, at 10 AM in Pitt County Superior Court.

    I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and effort of our legal team, as well as the residents of Pitt County who have joined our cause. The collaboration of several Pitt County residents, members, and The UDC NC Division in this filing is a testament to our shared commitment to defending our heritage.

    The brief I've attached is a public record; you can share it freely. Our brief will be on the N.C. Division SCV website soon and I will provide the link when it is available.

    This brief is perhaps the most thorough defense of our claims for standing; it includes a lengthy explanation of our Article I, Section 19 claim. NC's Article I, Section 19, is similar to the U.S. 14th Amendment. This case is the first we've made this claim, which should help garner more support from the general public, who have sometimes hesitated to defend us for lack of talking points or a fear of being labeled. The second half of our section 19 claim builds a compelling argument for an appeal should the Judge not grant us a full review.

    As we await the proceedings, I remain hopeful and optimistic for a swift and favorable outcome, but we will not give up if we're ruled against. Your continued support and the diligent efforts of our members and legal team give me confidence in our case.

    DEO VINDICE,    Matthew A. McGuigan

      Chief of Staff

      N.C. Division Sons of Confederate Veterans     https://www.ncscv.org