![‘Robert E. Lee’ Name Being Removed from Lowell Showboat](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2017/08/Lowell-Showboat.jpg?w=980&q=75)
‘Robert E. Lee’ Name Being Removed from Lowell Showboat
A floating landmark in Lowell is expected to get a new name.
WZZM-13 reports that the city is taking steps to remove the name "Robert E. Lee" from the Lowell Showboat.
Lowell City Manager Mike Burns said in a statement,
While most of West Michigan refers to it simply as the Lowell showboat, we recognize that the name (Robert E. Lee) is offensive to many,"
The current Robert E. Lee, which was closed to the public in January for safety reasons, is about four decades old. It is the fifth Lowell Showboat since 1932.
The city of Lowell has a grant from the State of Michigan to build a new showboat.
Burns said,
"For much of this year, a committee has been considering new names for the boat, which we expect to begin building next year."
The city's move to change the name comes after a change.org petition was filed by former Lowell resident and current MSU student, Brandon Lee.
In an update to the petition, Lee wrote,
I'm very pleased with Mr. Burns decision and overwhelmed by the sheer number of supporters against Confederate representation in public spaces. This is a symbolic victory against racism, and I'm very proud of the Lowell community. "
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