WASHINGTON Despite ongoing efforts to remove or rename Confederate memorials across the United States, a new report reveals that there are still more than 2,000 symbols honoring the Confederacy in public spaces nationwide. This finding underscores the persistent presence of these controversial monuments, which have become a focal point in debates surrounding racial equality and the interpretation of American history.

The report, released on April 24, was produced by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a non-profit organization that monitors hate groups and tracks symbols of hate throughout the country. Margaret Huang, the president and CEO of the SPLC, emphasized the need to confront these monuments, stating, We should not honor those who fought to continue slavery and tear apart our democracy. She further stressed the importance of presenting a truthful account of American history amid claims by some that the Trump administration is attempting to rewrite it.

The SPLCs bi-annual report, titled Whose Heritage?, details the ongoing struggle to remove Confederate symbols from military bases, monuments, and even street names. While there have been some successful removals in recent years, the report indicates that these efforts have slowed considerably. It highlights that activists have successfully advocated for the renaming or relocation of 415 Confederate memorials since 2015, a period marked by heightened awareness of racial injustices in America following the tragic murder of nine Black churchgoers at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The white supremacist responsible for that horrific act was seen posing with a Confederate battle flag, which ignited a broader movement to address the legacy of Confederate symbols throughout the nation. In 2023, the military took a significant step by renaming nine bases previously named after Confederate soldiers, though concerns remain that these advancements are under threat.

Seth Levi, the SPLC's chief program strategy officer, pointed to efforts by the Trump administration to protect certain Confederate memorials. He noted, He has already used a loophole to take aim at those military bases and restored the former names of two of them honoring Confederates. In March, Trump signed an executive order that criticized various Smithsonian Institution museums, claiming their work is part of a broader widespread effort to rewrite our nations history.

Supporters of Confederate symbols, including Trump and his allies, argue that these memorials are integral to Southern heritage and should not be erased. In a statement from 2020, Trump asserted, These monumental and very powerful bases have become part of a Great American Heritage. However, critics counter that to honor such symbols is to honor a legacy steeped in racial hatred and division.

Furthermore, some states continue to hold holidays and events in honor of Confederate soldiers, which adds another layer of complexity to the debate. For instance, Alabama recognizes Confederate Memorial Day, prompting Levi to express dissatisfaction: It is unacceptable that states continue to honor those who fought to defend slavery and tear apart our democracy.

The SPLC's report indicates that out of the 2,000 Confederate symbols still standing, 685 are classified as monuments. Rivka Maizlish, a senior research analyst at the SPLC, explained that these memorials are artifacts of a mass propaganda campaign to erase history. In a virtual press conference, she remarked, Opponents of removing these memorials often claim that they don't want to erase history. In fact, the presence of Confederate memorials in the United States are the result of a concerted effort to do just that.