Avondale official who called

Avondale official who called for removing Confederate monuments now says he was 'misunderstood'

A local official in Avondale, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was criticized for calling for the removal of Confederate monuments, now says he was 'misunderstood.'

'I was misunderstood in my attempt to address the elephant in the room,' said Avondale Mayor Craig Haffner in a statement.

Haffner had previously stated that he wanted to remove Confederate monuments from the city's parks and other public spaces, citing the harm they cause to African Americans and the need to address systemic racism.

However, some community members and local leaders criticized Haffner's statement, accusing him of being insensitive and not understanding the complexity of the issue.

Haffner has since clarified that he was not advocating for the removal of all Confederate monuments, but rather for a more nuanced approach that would allow for their presence in the context of a broader conversation about American history and identity.

'I understand that my statement was misinterpreted, and I am committed to working with our community to find a solution that works for everyone,' Haffner said.

'I was not advocating for the removal of all Confederate monuments. I was advocating for a more nuanced approach that would allow for their presence in the context of a broader conversation about American history and identity.'

Author's note:

This development highlights the complexities and nuances of the debate surrounding Confederate monuments and the ongoing struggle to address systemic racism in America.

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Phoenix New Times Phoenix New Times — 2025-11-27

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