SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council on Thursday voted 10-1 in favor of removing and relocating a Confederate monument at Travis Park.
Councilman Clayton Perry was the lone vote against the move.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg put forth an ordinance this week calling for the vote, rather than waiting for the removal request to go through committee.
This move drew the ire of supporters of the statue, who said it is a part of history. Its opponents have called it a symbol of hate.
Representatives on behalf the Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans filed the federal suit Thursday, claiming their freedom of speech would be impaired by the removal of the statue.
They also say the city does not have the right to remove the statue because it does not hold the title to the land where it resides.
Amid a national discussion about the placement of Confederate monuments, San Antonio City Councilmembers Roberto Trevino and William Shaw were the first to propose the idea of relocating the Travis Park statue.
The measure spurred opposing demonstrations earlier this month, and has inspired a flurry of public comments.
At Travis Park, workers set up a fence around the monument late Wednesday night, and around Municipal Plaza and council chambers there is an increased police presence because of public safety concerns.