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Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Does a Confederate monument represent Brandon, Mississippi? Locals weigh in at town hall
BRANDON, Miss. (AP) — Rankin County residents packed Brandon City Hall to discuss whether a Confederate statue belongs in the Mississippi town's center where a bulk of local traffic flows. But most took stances on whether it represents heritage or hate. 'It's hatred,' Janie Mclaurin-Wheaton said at the meeting Monday. 'You want to leave 'that' history, but you want to take mine out of the school? What about my history? I was born here, too.' Mclaurin-Wheaton, who is Black, was a member of the first graduating class to integrate Brandon High School and was referring to a new law that seeks to restrict teachers from discussing 'divisive' concepts like slavery and the causes of the Civil War. Her grandfather was the first Black man in Rankin County to own land and a car. She was one of the first Black women hired in the Rankin County Tax Assessor's office, where she worked for 27 years. She joined some 80 neighbors — Black and white– with deep roots in the city and county to speak before the Brandon Board of Aldermen. Dozens crowded into chairs before the first speaker approached the podium at 6 p.m. City hall employees were forced to unfold extra chairs in the hallway when space ran out. This discussion follows a June 16 meeting, during which Brandon city leaders approved a first step to assess the cost and logistics of relocating the 37-foot-tall statue of an unknown soldier built in 1907. Mayor Butch Lee cast the tie-breaking vote. In an interview with WAPT, Lee said the statue is 'in harm's way.' He cited three cars that have recently struck it as well as a recent incident in which it was shot at. Few locals cited the traffic concern as a top priority. Lee and the board drew condemnation from audience members who questioned why the decision wasn't left to the voters. A favored candidate for the relocation is the Confederate part of the Brandon cemetery – a location some feel could hold and preserve the historical monument without glorifying a difficult part of American history. 'There could not be a more serene, more dignified place to address this history than Brandon's cemetery,' said Lance Stevens, an attorney and 30-year Brandon resident. Bettye Ward Fletcher, a Black Rankin County native, called for the city to move the statue she sees as a harmful symbol. 'It continues to be painful,' she said. 'Your hometown continues to honor the men that fought to maintain you and your people in slavery.' 'I want something different for my grandkids,' said Will Sims, a Black U.S. Air Force veteran who expressed disappointment with seeing the monument still standing when he returned from years in the service. However, for some residents, the monument and its history are nothing to be ashamed of. Former longtime Rankin County Assistant District Attorney Dan Duggan pulled out a portrait of his great-great grandfather, a Confederate soldier, for the board to see. The fifth-generation Southerner said removing the monument would be a betrayal to the memory of his ancestors and other soldiers. 'This is a memorial to soldiers who left their homes to defend their country, the Confederate States of America, against an invading force,' said Mark Allen, a longtime resident of Rankin County and descendant of a Confederate soldier. Brandon's Confederate monument was erected across from the courthouse where Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman ordered his Union troops to stack their arms as a sign of military occupation of the town, according to the National Register of Historic Places. In February 1864, Sherman largely burned Brandon as part of what modern historians call a practice run for his famous March to the Sea, in which he employed 'total war' that burned and pillaged everything in his army's path. 'It's a place that people could go to that's maybe the only representation that they had of their relative who had never come home,' said Allen. However, some argued that the statue is a symbol of white power rather than a memorial to fallen ancestors. It was erected 42 years after the end of the Civil War, at a time when white Mississippians worked to ensure the marginalization of Black residents. In 1890, the Mississippi constitution enshrined the disenfranchisement of Black residents into law. By 1900, virtually no Black residents could vote despite constituting 59% of the population. John Toney, a local attorney, brought up that Brandon spent $3,000 – what would amount to $105,000 today – on the statue. 'They used these monuments to start a political and cultural dialogue,' Toney said. 'On the north side of the statue is carved into the marble: state's rights and home rule will rise again. That's not a dog whistle, that's a training whistle.' 'I doubt any Blacks voted in 1907 to spend taxpayer money on the statue,' said Toney. Despite its complicated past, some claimed the historical monument should be preserved. 'It's our history. Whether it's bad or good, let's not try to second guess it,' said Sharon Neely Egan, a white resident who opposes the removal of the statue. 'I don't think we need to erase Brandon's history.' Still, many feel that leaving a monument built as a homage to the Confederacy in one of Brandon's busiest streets is siding with a skewed version of history, and disregarding the pain it evokes to Black residents. 'Our past is important, but there's a difference between remembering and honoring,' said Brandon Middle School principal Trey Rein. 'We have an opportunity here to make a statement that we are focused on our town's future more than its past.' The rain let up just after 7 p.m. as speakers and spectators exited city hall for their cars and homes. Mclaurin-Wheaton departed with some of her classmates from Brandon High School. They are still good friends today. 'I just see some people stuck in the past and don't know how to move forward,' Mclaurin-Wheaton said. 'That's because mama told you, daddy told you, sister told you, but when you become of age, you got to learn to do the right thing for yourself.' The next public discussion over this topic will be July 21 at Brandon City Hall. ___ This story was originally published by Mississippi Today and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- CTV News
Student charged with attempted murder in sword attack at Brandon school: police
Messages of support are written on the sidewalk outside Neelin High School in Brandon, Man. on June 11, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) A 15-year-old boy who was seriousy injured in a sword attack at a Brandon high school is in stable condition, as another student faces an attempted murder charge. The Brandon Police Service provided an update on the violent incident that unfolded Tuesday afternoon at Neelin High School, calling it a senseless act of violence. Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates said a student initially alerted the school's resource officer about the attack, and police arrived minutes later to find a 16-year-old student wielding a sword. He was hit with a Taser and arrested. A 15-year-old student was found with stab wounds to his chest, forearms, hands, and thighs, police said. He was given immediate medical attention and is now in stable condition. Bates said the actions of the responding officers showed exceptional bravery. 'These officers' actions were nothing short of courageous and averted what could have been a far more tragic outcome,' he said. Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates speaks at a June 11, 2025 news conference at the service's headquarters. (Brandon Police Service) The incident sent the school into lock-down. The suspect has since been charged with attempted murder, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and disguise with intent. The accused had a scheduled remand hearing Wednesday morning. Bates said the suspect and victim were both students at the school, and the suspect had no known prior dealings with police. Investigators are still working to discover what motivated the attack. 'Certainly, he was not on the radar as someone who presented risk of imminent harm and tragedy, so that is something that I can comment on, but I don't have definitive specifics on a criminal history.' Crisis response team brought in to support students, staff Brandon School Division Superintendent Mathew Gustafson said the attack will have a ripple impact through all of its schools. A crisis response team has been brought in to offer support to students and staff in the coming days and weeks. 'Our focus at this point is the support of the student, his family and the Neelin family of students and staff, as well as our Brandon School Division community as a whole.' - With files from CTV's Daniel Halmarson
CBC
10-06-2025
- CBC
Teen arrested, another gets medical care after incident at Brandon high school
Social Sharing A teen has been arrested and another received medical care after an incident at a Brandon high school on Tuesday afternoon, police say. Brandon police were called about an incident involving two youths at Neelin High School around 1:15 p.m., a police news release said. Less than 10 minutes later, officers arrested a 16-year-old boy and took him into custody. A 15-year-old boy received medical attention, police said. The high school was placed under lockdown as a precaution, but it has since been lifted, as there's believed to be no continued threat to staff or students. An early dismissal is expected and school officials will provide further instructions, police said. Police also urged patience as the incident remains under investigation.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Williams Steps Down as Brandon High School's Head Football Coach
BRANDON, Miss. (WJTV) – Brandon High School is now searching for their next head football coach. After four seasons, Sam Williams is stepping down to take a job at UMS-Wright in Alabama. Williams had a successful tenure at Brandon, appearing in four South State Championships and two State Title appearances. He was also the head coach of Ridgeland for one season, and Pelahatchie for three. Overall in eight seasons, Williams won 82 games. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane Katrina exhibit opens at Two Mississippi Museums
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A new exhibit at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson reflects on the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Twenty years go, Mississippi endured one of the most devastating natural disasters in American history. Katrina made landfall in Mississippi on August 29, 2005. The Category 3 storm produced winds of 125 mph with storm surges nearly 30-feet high. Brandon High School helps make a girl's wish come true The Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers, Photographs by Melody Golding exhibit features vivid imagery of the aftermath of the storm. The exhibit will open to the public on March 8 and will be on display through November 7. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museums is free every Sunday. The Two Mississippi Museums are located at 222 North Street in Jackson. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
