University of Texas Will Move Jefferson Davis Statue Off Campus

UT President Gregory Fenves says the statue will be relocated to the Briscoe Center for American History.

According to the report from KXAN in Austin, the statue will now be part of the Southern history collection. Recently, the statue in the Main Mall has become controversial following nationwide outcry over symbols of confederate history, including the confederate flag.

Fenves said in a letter to the community that our "perspective on historical figures has evolved."

A task force had been put together, made up of city leaders and policy makers. They worked together to figure out what to do with the statues of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and Sidney Johnston after they were vandalized with graffiti that said "Black Lives Matter" in red paint.

Fenves said the best place to explain Davis’ role in the history of the American South is through an educational exhibit.