Branson residents and members of the Board of Aldermen are speaking out against racism in the town. That’s after a video of a woman, part of a counterprotest to a Black Lives Matter protest in Branson, went viral.
The woman, draped in a Confederate flag, tells the Black Lives Matter protestors outside Dixie Outfitters that she’ll teach her grandkids “to hate all of you people.” She then pumps her fist and shouts “KKK belief.”
Branson alderman, Larry Skains, said the video does not represent Branson.
"I think we need to publicly renounce her statement and condemn exactly the same," he said. "That is not our community. That is not what we stand for."
Several members of the public spoke before the board Tuesday night to condemn the video, including Branson resident, Kelsey Allen.
"Cleaning up 76 Boulevard by removing all visible Confederate memorabilia from the entertainment district is imperative," she said. "Zoning regulations need to be reevaluated. Change needs to happen in this town."
Branson Alderman, Larry Milton, accepted a challenge from Thomas Gall, who was visiting Branson from St. Louis, to share their views on the KKK.
"I despise the KKK," he said. "I despise any organization that is vile and violent towards people at the simple--for the simple reason of the color of their skin."
Branson Mayor Edd Akers issued a proclamation condemning hate speech and promoting unity.
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