“Robert Lee has got to go.”
That was the message delivered by Reverend Al Sharpton and approximately 50 protestors outside of the Fort Hamilton army base, inside which are two streets named for Civil War rebel leaders Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The demonstration was organized outside of the base’s main gate at 101st Street, which turns into General Lee Avenue past the checkpoint and runs the length of the facility.
Demonstrators were watched over by approximately 30 NYPD officers, about half of which were kept in reserve just a block away at the Fort Hamilton Senior Citizens Center.
Separate from the event, Sharpton has been joined by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in calling for the renaming of the two streets, as reported by Stephanie Pagones and Amber Jamieson of the New York Post. Adams has become the highest-ranking elected official to support the issue, and the only one whose constituency includes the army base.
Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries was the first to make such a call last week. Hey Ridge and various outlets have reported that other local officials, including Congressman Dan Donovan and Councilmember Vincent Gentile, whose districts include the army base, have yet to take a formal position (or in the case of Donovan, offer any comment whatsoever).
what should it be renamed? al sharpton st? malcom x way? obama lane? sharpton, focus. there are bigger issues out there on actual streets. you’re a joke.
These people need to get a life. Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jackson both graduated from the United States Military Academy and both served honorably in the United States Army until the outbreak of the Civil War. There’s absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t be honored in a United States Army fort.
“There’s absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t be honored in a United States Army fort.”
There’s the part where they betrayed their country and led an enemy army.
Robert E. Lee was a CAPTAIN when he was posted to Ft. Hamilton as the post engineer. He was responsible for the design and building of the FORT that is now the Ft. Hamilton COMMUNITY CLUB formerly OFFICER’s Club. The first house inside the main gate on 101 st and Ft Hamilton Pkwy. is known as LEE HOUSE in honor of the fort;s most famous engineer. Lee Avenue the main street through the fort was named for him as well. Lt. Jackson was posted to Fort Hamilton during this time frame as well.
Go outside the gate to St. John’s Episcopal church, you will see that Capt. Lee was a Vestryman during his tour at Ft. Hamilton. Lt. Jackson was also a member of this congregation.
Yes the Civil War happened, yes there was slavery predominantly in the southern states but it is still not grounds to eliminate the honors to these soldiers and their service to the UNITED STATES