But i am mixed on this really. Host im leaving it there so we can hear from one reporter who is covering this debate in richmond, virginia. Us via skype this morning from that area. Virginia statehouse reporter. Through what very monumenthave avenue. Its a big tourist attraction in your area. And what is the debate right now . Thank you so much for having me this morning i really think its important to start icing that this conversation that richmond is having is not a new one. Virginia does a wonderful job of preserving its history, respecting its history and one oldlook at archives and newspaper articles and see that people in richmond just as soon as the lead monument was erected in 1890, John Mitchell jr. Who was the editor of the Richmond Planet editorialized that people were going to be debating about the legacy of treason and blood. Have always been met with resistance and debate and controversy. Were just having a contemporary sort of iteration here in richmond. There are folks who have said and the violence that he inflicted on worshipers in South Carolina was a jumpoff point for our conversation in richmond now. Accuracyhere is some to that. After that happened it was a big issue during our mayoral race. Our mayor now is one who consistently advocated for balance and context. Throughout statues richmond. He made good on that Campaign Rhetoric when he appointed a 10 Member Commission to look at how to best add context to the statues along monument avenue. The commission has met a handful of times since his announcement in june. And they are tasked with gauging Community Sentiment and figuring out the best way to move forward. Since the announcement of that commission every mayor has changed his position and more forcefully called for the removal of the monuments along and there is at least one member of our city council who plan to submit a resolution and ask the state for permission. To move statues. That would sort of help the richmond local authorities moved around that tricky state law that says that people cannot disturb monuments once they have been put in place. Host described monument avenue for the folks who have not seen it. Guest its a long thoroughfare. In a Historic District of richmond. There are homes all along it. Tree lines. Very scenic. Very beautiful. There are businesses connected throughout the thoroughfare. There are five confederate figures sitting along the avenue and Arthur Arthur ashe. R people have said that monument is ae in and of itself confederate shrine of sorts. And that he kind of ruins that. Host what has it been like in richmond . Guest very tense. Since that commission that we mentioned before has been , there hasmeeting been one very well attended Public Meeting about two weeks ago. 500 people were there. We saw about 40 speakers. Half of the speakers were in favor of the mayors call for adding context. We heard lots of suggestions of billboards alongside the monuments. Half of the other speakers at that meeting were still having a conversation about whether or not they should be talks touched at all. Its all very tense. There are high emotions anytime that anyone talk about it. It is such a closely held issue in virginia. The citys largest blackowned media outlet had an theorial writing we ask commission and our readers what context can possibly change of the statues meaning and message from what was meant when they were directed following a bloody civil war meant to keep black people in bondage and what could possibly change their present context . I understand theres another Public Meeting coming up. What do you think will happen then . September 13 . Transpireduch has between this last meeting and september 13. I have spoken to one member of who said they have asked for a clue and down period. Certainly havent seen anything like what happened in charlottesville. And i knowe high that there are people in the community who felt like they didnt want to participate in the conversation because removal was not an option and now that more people would forcefully come out and speak in favor of the removal of the way we have seen in other states across the country. I wouldnt dare try and predict. Host