Sons of Confederate Vets weigh security at Washington park

RIDGEFIELD, Wash. – The Sons of Confederate Veterans’ northwest division is considering adding security to a private park it owns in Washington state after two monuments honoring Confederate President Jefferson Davis were vandalized.

The Columbian reported the monuments were splashed with paint and tar sometime Thursday night. A group of Portland activists claimed responsibility.

Members of the division have started the cleanup process and say they have no intention of removing the monuments from Jefferson Davis Park. The quarter-acre park was dedicated in 2007 on a parcel of land just west of Interstate 5.

Garth McKinney, first lieutenant commander of the division, says the group is a historical organization meant to honor veterans. He says the group is not looking to perpetuate any form of division or bigotry.