Newly filed Florida bill aims to protect war monuments and memorials

Jacksonville, FL — A new state bill set for consideration by Florida lawmakers is already generating controversy.

Florida Representative Mike Hill filed House Bill 97, which is called the 'Soldiers and Heroes Monuments and Memorial Protection Act'.

The bill is aimed at protecting war memorials and monuments, including making it illegal to remove or relocate Confederate monuments, except to refurbish them.

Opponents argue Confederate monuments and statues are reminders of racial division, strife, hatred, and pain, but supporters say this bill is about more than any one war.

"It's not just about Confederate statues that so many people are saying, it's for all veterans, hundreds of thousands of veterans. It's much more, it's about the soul of America," says one veteran speaking to our partner Action News Jax. 

If this bill does pass, it would also increase the penalty for damaging or defacing a monument to a third-degree felony.