Suit filed over move of Lakeland Confederate monument

LAKELAND (FOX 13) - Save Southern Heritage and two other like-minded groups have filed a suit in federal court against the city of Lakeland.

If approved, the temporary injunction would prevent the city, for up to a year, from moving the Confederate Soldier Monument from Munn Park to Veterans Park.

“Do you think you can win this?” FOX 13 asked David McCallister, the attorney and spokesman for Save Southern Heritage.

“Absolutely,” he responded with confidence. “Because we’re in the right.”

McCallister took action after city commissioners voted 5-2 Monday to use money made from red light camera tickets to move the monument. The move would cost an estimated $225,000.

Commissioners originally promised to not use any public money for the move. A fundraising effort was launched, but only brought in a fraction of what was needed.

McCallister says his organization had no choice. It had to bring the issue before the court.

“They are really going back on their word,” he said. “Going back on their integrity.”

As of Wednesday, the city of Lakeland had not been served. City officials and commissioners had no comment.