Ga. Democrat lawmaker: Rather see confederate monument in Capitol building than statue of Justice Thomas

October 3, 2021 Carley Joanou US 0

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas attends the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Amy Coney Barrett to be the U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice on the South Lawn of the White House October 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Senate confirmed Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court today by a vote of 52-48. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

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UPDATED 8:46 AM PT – Sunday, October 3, 2021

A Georgia lawmaker said she would rather see a Confederate statue in the state Capitol than a Supreme Court justice. The comments came amid a push by state Republican lawmakers to have a statue of Justice Clarence Thomas put up in the Capitol building.

However, Rep. Donna McLeod (D-Ga.) said she would prefer a monument of a Confederate leader. She added that was how much she opposed the idea.

Republican lawmakers in the Peach State have been supportive of setting up a statue of Thomas, who was born and raised in Georgia. They said the idea was appropriate in consideration of the various other statues and portraits of Georgians set up around the state Capitol building as recognition of their accomplishments.

“The grounds of the Georgia Capitol should be a place where visitors can connect with their elected officials, as well as a place that provides opportunities to learn about Georgia history.” said Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Ga.) in a released statement. “…Justice Clarence Thomas, as a Georgia native and as a dedicated civil servant with nearly 30 years of service on the Supreme Court of the United States, it is only fitting and proper that a statue of him be displayed at the Capitol.”

Thank you for your support @shelleywynter1 for us to place a Clarence Thomas statue on the ground of the state Capitol! Let’s get it done! #ClarenceThomas #gapol @wotsonwsb @wsbradio

— Jason R. Anavitarte (@jasonanavitarte) October 2, 2021

McLeod’s comments come as a largely Democrat-led effort led to the removal of Confederate statues across the country. The monument of General Robert E. Lee, which was notably the largest Confederate statue in the country, was removed on September 8.

Clarence Thomas is currently the longest serving justice on the Supreme Court as he was seated in 1991. He is also the second black justice to ever serve on the high court.