The racially fueled murder of nine African-Americans at a South Carolina church is sparking debate over removing Confederate images across the South. Now, that argument is landing in Brooklyn and prompting a wider discussion about the origins of city landmarks. NY1's Josh Robin filed the following report.
At the Fort Hamilton Army Base, the main street is named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The Army says it dates to an attempt at reconciliation after the conflict ended.
Today, one group sees it as nothing but divisive.
"What would you have from the American people if you tried, or me, to name this Hitler Boulevard?" said Gerald Seabrooks of Rehoboth Cathedral.
Before Lee led the Confederate Army, he was stationed at the Brooklyn base.
In Albany, there is also a picture of the Confederate flag, part of a bigger war mural.
Many Americans have long been offended by Confederate symbols, but pictures of the alleged Charleston gunman reopened the wounds.
"That flag represents an ideology that is alive and well that was adopted by people who think it's appropriate to engage in mass murder," said Kirsten John Foy of the National Action Network.
The groups wants a review of the painting. They also want the Army to reconsider the street name, as well as other bases named for Confederate heroes.
The Army says that's unlikely. In a statement, a spokesperson said, "Every Army installation is named for a soldier who holds a place in our military history. Accordingly, these historic names represent individuals, not causes or ideologies. It should be noted that the naming occurred in the spirit of reconciliation, not division."
But Civil War scholar Harold Holzer says that reconciliation wasn't for everyone.
"Historically, until now, it's always been about reconciliation among white guys," Holzer said. "Historians, and history, conveniently excluded African-Americans from the effort to bring the North and the South back together. And that's the thing we have to address now."
Robert E. Lee is hardly the only namesake for a memorial in the City likely to be offensive to some. In fact, look around New York and you'll probably find dozens.
There's a statue of slave-owning Thomas Jefferson in City Hall.
Across from Fort Hamilton is John Paul Jones park. Before he was a Revolutionary War naval hero, he was first mate on a slave ship.
"Absolutely, this is a wider discussion," Foy said.
A discussion that will continue.
Dominique Sharpton attended Thursday's rally. Her father is expected to return to Fort Hamilton this weekend.