Sam Houston statue in Hermann Park causing controversy

HOUSTON – The starting point was a Facebook post by a group called Texas Antifa.

The post alleges the Sam Houston Memorial's so-called demise will begin on June 10.

Why remove it?

Other posts by the group explain its stance.

"Texans agree the disgusting idols of America's dark days of slavery must be removed to bring internal peace to our country."

Another post reads:

"After we have this one removed, we can then work on getting the 67-foot Sam Houston statue outside of Huntsville turned into parking lot gravel, and the forest renamed."

The statue at Hermann Park has stood at Montrose and Main streets since 1925.

Houston is credited for securing Texas' independence from Mexico during the battle of San Jacinto in 1836.

He was president of Texas, a U.S. senator after Texas joined the United States and then became the state's governor.

"Sam Houston is the father of Texas," David Amad said.

Amad is vice president of Texas open carry.

He says the post has ruffled feathers within his organization and others.

He says as Texas Anifa plans to protest in favor of the statue's removal, other organizations will be there calling for it to stay.

"They were the ones that proposed the initial protest to protest this statue and try to have it removed. Our event is to make sure they understand that one way or another that statue is not going anywhere," Amad said.

Download the Click2Houston news app in your app store to stay up-to-date with the latest news while you're on the go.

Sign up for KPRC 2 newsletters to get breaking news, sports, entertainment, contests and more delivered straight to your email inbox.