Musicians and other artists are performing this evening to help fund the relocation of a pair of Confederate monuments in Bastrop.
The monuments are on the county Courthouse grounds. Cheryl Lee with the Bastrop monument relocation committee is producing the Move Forward Music Fest to see them moved. She says a company has come forward to remove and relocate the monuments for $50,000 and thus far, the committee and raised more than half of that with about $22,000 more to go.
Several bands and local artists have pledged their support including The Chicks. Lee says the country music band members are no strangers to Bastrop County, noting the trio were in Bastrop because of the George Floyd protests.
The Move Forward Music Fest will be hosted online through the Bastrop Monument Relocation Facebook page and Youtube starting at 6:30 this evening. Lee explains they picked Martin Luther King day specifically, believing it was most appropriate and noting the COVID 19 pandemic has put a damper on the traditional MLK day gatherings and celebrations.
“So what better way to put on a concert than virtually, and give people a way to celebrate, listen to some good music, and donating towards the cause.” said Lee.
As for the Confederate monuments, Lee explains they are still in the process of finding them a final destination and have let Bastrop County Commissioners know of three viable locations from private property owners willing to take them. But the Commission’s Court has yet to decide where. Lee notes this indecision has made fundraising for the relocation a bit more difficult.
You can find the show tonight by following this link: www.facebook.com/monumentrelocationbastrop/
or by following this link: Youtube: Move Forward Fest
To donate, go here: www.bastropconfederatemonumentrelocationfund.org
