Texas African-American History Memorial Unveiled Amid Protests
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Officials have dedicated a monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol recognizing the contributions of African-Americans in the state.
The monument was unveiled Saturday in Austin as about two dozen individuals with a White Lives Matter group held a protest at another area of the Capitol.
Those individuals were shouted down by a much larger group of counter-protesters who held up signs that said, "Stand Against Hate."
Eight arrests were made as rival protesters clashed near the State Capitol.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Victor Taylor said four of the arrests were for assault, two for evading arrest, one for disorderly conduct and one for "interference with public duty." Two of those arrested were on Capitol grounds and the others on adjacent streets.
Gov. Greg Abbott told a crowd attending the unveiling ceremony that the monument honors African-Americans who helped grow Texas.
"Today we come together to proudly honor the African-Americans who helped to grow Texas from the bounty of the land, from the sweat of their toil and from the passion of their dreams," said Gov. Abbott. "We are reminded that our work is not yet done. If we are to truly elevate Texas to its limitless potential we must continue to expand liberty and opportunity for all."
The monument is located on the Capitol's south lawn, close to other monuments that honor Confederate soldiers for their service during the Civil War.
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