So there's a few monuments causing some controversy. I live in Halifax, which was founded by a British guy named Cornwallis. Of course there's a couple streets named after the guy, a couple schools, and at least one prominent statue.
Now, as this is the 1740's, there are tensions with the native Mi'kmaw peoples, eventually leading to war. Cornwallis issued scalping bounties - first for Mi'kmaw warriors, then later a bounty on women and children.
Many in the province, including obviously the remaining Mi'kmaw population, think we probably shouldn't have statues erected to a guy who once put a bounty on children. I am inclined to agree.
I don't want to imply that everyone who disagrees is a white nationailst racist - I have heard some rational (ultimately unconvincing) arguments against removing the statue (orders came from British army superiors, product of his times, etc), and discussions I have had with people have generally been civil.
However, there is a very vocal (aren't they always) small group of racist shits who seem WAY too invested in the fate of a fucking statue. They claim if the statue is torn down they should go to the nearby reservation territory and tear down their prominent statue, and so on,
We even had a group of
off duty military personnel harassing peaceful protesters at the statue.
Called themselves "Proud Boys". Smug alt-right fucks:
What the fuck is it with these people and colour coordinated polo shirts??