July 13th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
Carmen Jackson, president of the Allegany County branch of the NAACP, has approached the County Commissioners seeking support of efforts to create a monument for William Burns- an African-American laborer who died at the hands of an angry mob in 1907. Jackson noted that Burns- who was physically dragged from the Allegany County Court House and killed- has been recognized by the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project- and they would like to see a local marker and monument placed in his name. Burns, according to reports was taken into custody after an altercation at a bar with a police officer. Upon learning that the officer had died as a result- a large crowd gathered, stormed the court house, dragged Burns from the building and shot him to death. Jackson said regardless of the circumstances, Burns was not given a hearing before the courts, and his death should not be in vain…
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July 13, 2020 at 6:08 am, mac said:
Setting aside William Burn’s guilt or innocence he was dragged by an angry mob and murdered.
In 113 years we, as a people, have progressed no further than that mob in our interpersonal relations.
July 13, 2020 at 8:03 am, Welchy said:
If they want a memorial then they HAVE to put it up with full story. We don’t honor cop killers here
July 13, 2020 at 9:29 am, David said:
So the NAACP wants a monument to this man because? His death was in vain because he didn’t have a hearing. So we can expect a monument for every person who was killed without a hearing? Or is it because he was black killed by a supposedly white mob? Will they support a monument for a Asian, Latino, or any color person who was unjustly killed or only black ones? I thought monuments were for people who accomplished something in this life, not victims of injustice. If we are to have a monument for every person who was murdered, I don’t think we have the room. Of course if another mob decides that it offends them and they tear it down, then I expect that the NAACP will not condemn it since it will be their “freedom of speech”.
July 13, 2020 at 11:30 am, Jay said:
” I thought monuments were for people who accomplished something in this life”
There are dozens of monuments to Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, mostly in the south. What did they accomplish?
And remember the neo-Nazis in Charlottesville chanting “Jews will not replace us” carrying tiki torches. I think your outrage is awfully selective David.
July 13, 2020 at 2:04 pm, Dan said:
> Jay you are a sad person. You can tear a monument down but you cannot erase history! I would love to find your home and put a monument to my president Trump in your lawn!!!
July 13, 2020 at 10:55 pm, David said:
You have me mistaken for someone who is outraged. I just don’t see the point of the monument? How is this guy outstanding in our history? If you are going to honor someone pick someone honorable. Don’t know what would make you think I support the Nazis, other than their constitutional right to protest. As far as Southern leaders, their cause was not something that I support but do you seriously think that almost one million men went to war to preserve slavery when the vast majority of them did even own any? Any more than all of the union soldiers were fighting to end slavery. History is not that simple, we may be but history isn’t.
July 13, 2020 at 10:20 am, Terri Lynn Martin said:
Nope!
The NAACP wants this just to create division in our community!
July 13, 2020 at 11:09 am, Pat said:
BLM & Antifa is tearing down and destroying monuments that honored people who died for a cause they believed in (whether we agree with it or not) but now you want a memorial for someone who died because you surmise it was by whites. Just like now, George Floyd died because he was a criminal as Burns apparently was responsible for an officer’s death but you want to honor him. If BLM wants all of these historical monuments done away with, then there shouldn’t be anymore established in any names. They want history cleansed, then don’t create anymore!
July 13, 2020 at 12:10 pm, Randy said:
There is nothing stopping the NAACP from purchasing a monument and a piece of property to put it on. There is no need to spend tax payer money on this venture!
July 13, 2020 at 12:45 pm, mac said:
The best thing that we, as Americans, can do is make a determination to not memorialize anyone for any reason.
By doing that we can all be sure that no one is either offended or feels that monies are being misused.
Think kind thoughts for those that you think deserve it and you can vilify the rest. What you do in your own mind is your business just don’t tell me about it.
July 13, 2020 at 2:01 pm, Dan said:
Piss on the NAACP. No monuments need to be built.
July 13, 2020 at 2:52 pm, Fran said:
The gentleman that was killed and that she wants to build a monument in honor of killed a police officer, I guess that’s what she wants to promote.