John C Calhoun Statue Is Cut Down In Charleston
John C Calhoun statue that has had pride of place in the city of Charleston in South Carolina has just been cut down by the City Council.
Following the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign in the US and around the world this pro-slavery politician was literally voted down! The City Council voted 100 percent to remove it.
And the former Vice President of the USA was removed from the 115 foot-high perch in the centre of the city.
The John C Calhoun statue in Charleston, South Carolina.
Workers spent nearly a whole night and part of the day cutting the statue from its lofty plinth in Marion Square.
The statue was secured and bolted into the plinth and also had a lightening rod running down through the tower that had to be cut to release the statue.
Calhoun Brought Down By Pressure From The ‘Black Lives Matter’ Campaign
Resisting removal the 3 ton statue which was also secured by more modern amounts of resin which made the workmen’s task even trickier.
The removal of the John C Calhoun statue in Charleston, South Carolina.
Eventually the 12foot high slave owners symbol that had long been hated by the those that opposed slavery. Its removal had been talked about in the city for years. He was buried in the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in the city.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Charleston,
As the crane lowered it to the ground the crowds in Charleston that had gathered cheered and applauded as it finally came down to earth.
The grave of John C Calhoun at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Charleston.
It will be now go to a place of study and learning after spending some time in storage according to city officials.
Many in the city would like to see an African American to replace Calhoun.
A Prime Candidate To Replace Him Robert Smalls
Memorial to Robert Smalls in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Local African American Robert Smalls from Beaufort, South Carolina could be a popular choice.
This former slave during the American Civil War in 1862 took over the CSS Planter. Cunningly he navigated the ship clear of the Confederate Charleston Harbour.
First though he put on the captain’s uniform. Donned a straw hat, similar to what the captain normally wore. Then sailed it along with other slaves plus his own family on board. He then headed out to sea and safety with the Union Forces blockade.
An amazing man Robert Smalls who stole a ship in order to escape slavery in South Carolina.
He went on to became a politician after the war and was elected to the US House of Representatives.
Smalls purchased his former masters house in Beaufort where he lived. Also he bought a house that was then turned into a school for African American children. He died in 1915.
