ORANGE — Construction crews appear to have returned to the Confederate Memorial of the Wind Monument along Interstate 10 in Orange. It looks like work is underway on a new walkway.
Since the memorial was constructed in 2013, it's proven controversial.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is the group behind the memorial, which is built on private land. A woman from Orange saw crews there this weekend and contacted 12News. She says the memorial is offensive. We agreed to protect her identity because she fears for her safety. "We don't need that memorial in our town. and I believe it encourages racism," she said Monday.
A member of the organization previously confirmed plans to add 32 flags to represent Texas regiments of the Confederate army.
Orange resident Steven Lawrence doesn't understand all of the attention. He drives by the monument daily and doesn't find it offensive. "I think there is a lot of bigger problem out there in regards to racism than this memorial," he suggested.
A member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans tells 12News, "They have the right to protest, so we have to right to have our own monument." He also decided to remain anonymous due to retaliation, but says the organization is "...not seeking controversy."