#Petition launched to replace Confederate statue with Chadwick Boseman

Residents in Chadwick Boseman’s hometown of Anderson, South Carolina, launched a petition to replace a Confederate monument with a memorial to honor the actor.

Following the tragic death of the “Black Panther” star, the petition has since racked up thousands of signatures on Change.org.

“Mr. Boseman is without question an American treasure and his accolades go on and on. It is only fitting that his work is honored in the same place that birthed him,” DeAndre Weaver, the organizer of the petition wrote.

“He opened many doors for many young black people with his leading roles in movies such as Black Panther or Marshall,” writes Weaver.

The existing statue dedicated to the Confederate veterans of Anderson County was erected in 1902.

The statue, which depicts a soldier standing atop a platform, sits in front of courthouse and reads, “The world shall yet decide, in truth’s clear, far-off light, that the soldiers who wore the gray, and died with Lee, were in the right,” according to a state website.

The petition asks that the statue be moved to the Anderson County Museum.

“It is only natural that his hometown honors what he did. There is no need for political controversy in this decision,” says the petition.

“The old statue need not be destroyed; however, with the engravings on the base, it is beyond time for its retirement.”

Confederate statues in South Carolina are protected by a heritage act, and would require state authorization to remove.

Boseman died in his Los Angeles-area home at age 43 after a private, four-year battle with colon cancer.