Even though Baltimore is reviewing its Confederate symbols, Gov. Larry Hogan says Maryland isn’t getting out of the car.
At a press conference on Thursday, Hogan was asked if he would consider whether there’s still a place on state property for statues of people like Roger Taney, who delivered the pro-slavery Dred Scot Decision. (A statue of Taney is on the State House grounds in Annapolis.)
“The city has every right to do so,” Hogan said. “I would have no interest in that.”
At some point, Hogan said, the nationwide debate that was triggered by calls to remove the Confederate symbol as South Carolina’s state flag becomes “political correctness run amok.”
Along with Taney, Thurgood Marshall also has a statue at the State House, and Hogan said both are part of the state’s history. He also pointed out the fact that George Washington was a slave owner.
Following the horrifying shooting at Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, the state recalled about 150 Sons of Confederate Veterans commemorative license plates, but hasn’t done anything else.
For its part, Baltimore City is having a commission review the city’s statues and other monuments with a potential Confederate connection.
On Thursday afternoon, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley signed a bill that removed the Confederate flag from the state’s capitol.
