Lakeland's Confederate Statue Comes Down

LAKELAND, FL — If you were born in Lakeland or spent any time here, chances are you've never known Munn Park to be without its Confederate statue — otherwise you'd be pushing 110.

That all changed Friday as a contractor began the painstaking work of moving the more than century old statue to its new home in Veterans Memorial Park.

'This morning, the Munn Park Confederate Monument was removed from its base and is now waiting for its new home in Veterans' Memorial Park to be ready," said city officials.

The monument has been a source of controversy in this Florida community just as similar monuments have sparked debates throughout the United States.

Lakeland commissioners voted late last year in favor of using money generated by the city's red light camera citations to pay for the move, which is estimated to cost around $210,000. The vote reversed an earlier decision to require the move to be paid with private funds.

Cities across the nation have faced similar pressure to remove their Confederate monuments following the deadly white nationalist protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the 2015 massacre of black worshippers at a South Carolina church by an avowed white supremacist.

Lakeland officials said the cost includes a $20,000 cushion to pay for unforeseen expenses. during the four-day removal and relocation of the monument.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Video courtesy city of Lakeland