LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than a dozen people are expected in a courtroom Wednesday to debate the future of the John B. Castleman statue that was removed from Cherokee Triangle in 2020.Â
The John B. Castleman monument was removed from Cherokee Triangle on Monday morning, after fierce debate. June 8, 2020Â
Since the monument was removed in 2020, the pedestal it once stood on in Cherokee Triangle has remained empty, and the controversy over its removal continues. A recent ruling from the Kentucky Supreme Court said the city's decision to remove the statue did not happen properly.
Attorneys for Friends of Louisville Public Art argued that two members of the city's Historic landmarks Commission had a conflict of interest when they voted to remove the statue. The court agreed, and Friends of Louisville Public Art filed a motion to re-install the statue in its original location.
"The option is to either put it back up, like the Supreme Court basically is saying, or to file another certificate to remove the statue and go through that process again."
The statue has been highly criticized as being associated with the Confederacy and white supremacy, and has been vandalized numerous times. Supporters say people are misinformed about the statue's history.
A judge has yet to make a final decision about reinstalling the statue, but a spokesperson for the city has said metro government does not plan to return the Castleman statute.
Attorneys on both sides of the issue made their arguments before a judge Wednesday afternoon.Â
This story will be updated with the outcome of that hearing.Â
Related Stories:
- Louisville won't return Castleman statue to Cherokee Triangle after Supreme Court ruling, mayor says
- Kentucky Supreme Court rules controversial Castleman statue was improperly removed from Cherokee Triangle
- Castleman statue removed from Cherokee Triangle
- Louisville's Landmarks Commission gives city green light to remove Castleman statue
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