Confederate monument rally attended by 150 in Lakeland

LAKELAND — A “Rally for America” Saturday morning in Munn Park at the Confederate monument, attended by about 150 people, was peaceful, with about a half-dozen speakers talking about protecting the gun ownership rights, respecting Confederate monuments, and preventing sharia law from infiltrating the U.S. court system.

“We believe that there are forces that want to destroy our constitutional way of life and our republic,” said Andy Strickland, a St. Petersburg attorney who helped to organize Saturday's event. “Maintaining and respecting our historical monuments and memorials are ways that we believe will allow us to achieve that honorable and noble goal that is preserving America's history - past and future.”

The Confederate Monument was erected in 1910 after the United Daughters of the Confederacy raised $1,550 to pay for the marble, 26-foot-tall memorial, with the city contributing $200 to the effort.

Last December, following hours of debate and input from about 50 people, the Lakeland City Commission voted to remove the monument from the center of Munn Park, citing the need for the park to be inclusive of all residents.

City commissioners will vote May 7 on where to move the monument.

It will cost up to $225,000 to dismantle, transport and reassemble the marble monument, which was recently cleaned by a monument supporter and city workers.

A date for the not been chosen. move has