>> As the community mourns, a petition on Change.org to replace the Confederate monument in front of the Manatee County courthouse garnered more than 1,500 signatures in less than 24 hours.
The man who started the petition has a specific replacement in mind: A statue of Snooty the manatee.<<
The man who started the petition has a specific replacement in mind: A statue of Snooty the manatee.<<
Snooty (1948-2017) was a beloved figure in the town for decades. He was the oldest living manatee and the first born in captivity -- just passed his 69th birthday, a species that typically lives about ten years.
>> Pusateri created a petition to replace the Confederate monument in front of the courthouse with one of Snooty on Change.org on Sunday night after hearing the news of Snooty’s death. He said he also previously heard someone calling for the Confederate statue to be removed.
“Why not do two birds with one stone?” Pusateri thought.
So far, he’s seen more support than opposition, he said. The petition reached 1,700 signatures as of 4 p.m. Monday, according to the website. Some of the signatures, Pusateri said, have come from as far away as California.
“For a manatee as loved as he was in the community, it’s amazing to see the support,” he said.
Pusateri said when he gets 2,000 signatures, he will submit it for consideration by the city and the county.
“It’s the center of downtown, why not have a symbol of positivity?” Pusateri said. “Something everyone can get behind.” << (More including video at the link)
“Why not do two birds with one stone?” Pusateri thought.
So far, he’s seen more support than opposition, he said. The petition reached 1,700 signatures as of 4 p.m. Monday, according to the website. Some of the signatures, Pusateri said, have come from as far away as California.
“For a manatee as loved as he was in the community, it’s amazing to see the support,” he said.
Pusateri said when he gets 2,000 signatures, he will submit it for consideration by the city and the county.
“It’s the center of downtown, why not have a symbol of positivity?” Pusateri said. “Something everyone can get behind.” << (More including video at the link)