Daytona Beach: Confederate plaques removed from Riverfront Park

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Crews spent Friday morning removing three plaques from Riverfront Park that honored local Confederate soldiers.

The city manager made the decision to remove the plaques earlier this week because they said they didn’t want something on public property that people may view as divisive. However, a spokesperson for the city said it has not received any complaints about the plaques.

"It's the city property and the city has the right to do that," said Stephen Heath who came to the park to see the removals for himself.

The stone plaques were installed in 1961 and were given to the city by the Southern Citizens of Daytona Beach. The other two were given by the Sons of Confederacy and installed in 1979 and 1985.

The plaques will be given to the Halifax Historical Museum, where they will be stored.

A spokesperson for the city told Channel 9's Mike Springer its leaders feel the public is better served if the plaques are preserved in museums as part of the local community's history.

Cox Media Group