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Santa Ana Cemetery debates future of Confederate monument
A wide view of Santa Ana Cemetery, circa 2012.
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Nora Goetz / Flickr via Creative Commons
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The Orange County Cemetery district is deciding whether to remove a Confederate memorial at the Santa Ana Cemetery.
The monument is a gray, granite pillar with a pointed top that stands approximately 10-feet tall. An inscription at its base reads: "To honor the sacred memory of the pioneers who built Orange County after their valiant efforts to defend the cause of Southern Independence."
This isn't a vintage monument dating back a hundred years. It was erected in 2004 by the Orange County chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
"I've had a conversation with their commander and their unit was going to be talking about what to do with their monument," said Tim Deutsch, who manages the publicly-owned cemetery.
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The cemetery is overseen by the Orange County Cemetery District, a publicly appointed board.
In a statement to KPCC, Jon Fowler with the California chapter of Sons of Confederate veterans said their group is very saddened by the continued disrespect and destruction of any and all of America's Monuments.
The statement goes on to say the group condemns the KKK and other forms of racism.
The Cemetery District's board will meet Sep. 5. If the monument's fate hasn't been decided by then, the board will discuss its options.
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