Full speech: Mitch Landrieu addresses removal of Confederate statues

[@kcoup1626]

This is a gorgeous speech.

[@davidringo1399]

hahaha

[@gregolson342]

Blind to facts you people that follow these people are in historical denial

[@ricotsuave9419]

Hello and goodbye

[@gregkalbrunner]

This is a landmark speech that gets more relevant every day. I could not agree more with everything he said.

[@debbiecesta4372]

Most definitely worth 19 minutes of your time. He is inspiring and wow - it is even more pertinent today - 3 yrs later.

[@modulator7861]

So beautifully spoken. One of the finest speeches I've ever heard.

[@lingli314]

more pretty if Biden will spoke at this time ha ha ha

[@nacarreira777]

Landrieu wrote a book called "In The Shadow of Statues" in which he tells the story of all the hurdles he, his family, his staff had to overcome to get those monuments taken down.

[@susanmaxx1]

3 years later, this is more significant than ever. Please listen.

[@nefarious67]

Still true in 2024

[@tmtb80]

If only we had been able to vote for him on a primary.

[@spiritlightvideos5046]

what an articulate argument set in a vision of truth and unity among ALL people; I agree, Mr. Landrieu, please run for President! thank you for your bravery & wisdom!

[@davidringo1399]

Pffttt..hahahahahahahahaha

[@davidringo1399]

hahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha God thats hilarious......What party.? The Rogaine Party.....The Rainbow flag party..?....hahahahahahahaha

[@davidringo1399]

stupidly ignorant..? hahahahaha and your a smart man eh ? Stay in your on country freak and mind your own countries bizz...eh ?

[@redbuck1385]

@S. Labouisse Not certain Mitch "dog on the car" Romney was a great choice either.

[@noschool123]

Mr Landrieu, You should run for President.

[@davidringo1399]

Yes...Hair Club for Men...

[@upcamehill2773]

The no good SOB should run for the border.

[@maxvasquez2535]

I'm hoping for that to be a reality!

[@katzgar]

@@upcamehill2773 do you love losers

[@Manormouse-04]

I just heard him considered as a VP for Kamala Harris.

[@DanaVastman]

I truly hope Kamala chooses him for her vice president... What an inspiring speech. I was on the edge of tears so many times. He dealt with tough issues. Eloquently... And penetrated the veneer we all erect!

[@joncarroll2040]

He's definitely a better choice than some of the more popular options being put forth.

[@curtisault2508]

​@@joncarroll2040Landrieu wins the election for the Democrats if he is on the ticket with Harris as the Vice President.

[@nefarious67]

This was my hope as well.

[@crazieangel79]

Great Speech. I was extremely moved at 3:17 by how State Farm can save me money on my car insurance. Really Washington Post? You can't even run this one ad free?

[@janewright8249]

Should NEVER have been interrupted by an ad.

[@SasaleminMoAko]

Use adblock

[@ohnjay72]

For real!

[@Summit_is_cool]

All 3 comments are relevant. I got 0 ads

[@maxvasquez2535]

I came in from a Quora comment that happily showed no interruptions, then came o the source and was annoyed by the ads. Yt tossed the baby out with the water by not realizing that not ALL content is fodder for their coffers. Unfortunately, their machine has grown too huge to satisfy the seemingly insignificant voices and alter the ad bombs that affect important messages that have tremendous impact on us all.

[@martinswett2635]

It is a shame to hear such a beautifully fluid speech disjointed with a series of obnoxious commercials.

[@Summit_is_cool]

oh, sooo true

[@monabear7287]

I pay for Premium. No commercials.

[@garnetmuse]

Such a moving honest respectful speech said with thoughtfulness and choosing to be an example and a way shower for American humanity

[@feliciteshulkin1525]

A great nation does not hide its history, it faces its flaws and corrects them.

[@JohnEHess]

Amen. This speech should be played in every public school.

[@itss.mfkntori]

lol im actually reading this for my English class

[@jt5306-q3m]

@@itss.mfkntori I read this for my college writing class last week. What a great speech!

[@lc9009]

Private schools, too.

[@Da_doggo104]

@@itss.mfkntorisame

[@homarjuarez3041]

Yes, we use it as part of our ERWC modules in our English class.

[@subgirl3739]

He has such a good voice. It is enjoyable to listen to.

[@tparker2095]

A really well-spoken man, you can tell he speaks from the heart. Good to see that nowadays, Thankyou Mayor Landrieu!

[@DadLivonia]

He speaks truth to willful ignorance

[@tontonmacoute1]

One of the great speeches of our time.

[@trw45q]

Nice speech, I'm not even american but it's always good to hear some clarity thinking, we all need to learn to think a little deeper, fight ignorance in ourselves and others. This is needed in every aspect of our lifes!

[@TheToltec]

This is outstanding

[@carriemoley]

If President Trump and others who defend 'our beautiful statues' could listen to this speech, I think it might help. Even if it did not change their minds, surely it would expand them, and deepen their understanding of other perspectives? And my husband said the same thing: Why isn't this man running for president?

[@parmesan3739]

Carrie Moley I hear complete and total ignorance of history. I hear pandering to ignorant people to secure votes. I hear divisiveness under the guise of civil rights. He doesn't even know what General Beauregard believed in and advocated for in regards to race relations, or perhaps he does, but prefers to pander. I do not hear what you hear. I see what this is doing and it isnt the path to peace and inclusion. I know entirely too much about history and human nature to see this as anything other than a disastrous path to greater hate and divisiveness than my generation has ever known and we have people like him to thank for it.

[@valfrancis5692]

Carrie Moley he's running

[@l.jamerson8148]

+C Panglish Thanks sis love ya

[@williambaxley1120]

in his speech he says " we need to face history" , yet he takes down the statues and hides history. running and hiding from your past does no good. I don't advocate for the south in the civil war, however it should still be remembered.

[@quentinbaggett4045]

Oh carrie what's so beautiful about treasonous reminders about white supremacists who illegelly invaded America? Slaughtered, raped, enslaved

[@rowell669]

This is simply a fantastic speech. It is fantastic. It's really a masterpiece because it perfectly sums up what needs to be done and why.

[@janewright8249]

This speech should be required viewing for every single high school student in this country, and also for every adult who thinks that the Confederate flag and statues are simply symbols of the great south when they are symbols of the fight to deny humanity of black people. Only one improvement could be made to this speech; to not talk of “races” as there is only one race...the human race.

[@AshleyTodd1]

Wow!! Why isn’t this person our president?? (came here from Carville saying he’s the best communicator among current dem politicians, and I see what he means) 👊🏼 👑

[@RepublicanJesusthe2nd]

This guy has the force for real!

[@silkeotd7194]

Excellent speaker and certainly wise... too bad someone like that is not in the presidency.

[@julannemma]

Will this guy please run for president? PLEASE. He can win and put this country back together.

[@monabear7287]

If Mr. Landrieu is a patriot, he should run for president. We need him!

[@windchicken]

Oh my God, I’m crying from the beauty and depth of this speech. I am so proud to be a Son of Louisiana living in a blue parish right now…🥰

[@hollydubrasich8276]

Thank you 🙏

[@aovoonthefarmsouthernillinois]

This is a beautiful speech. Thank you for sharing it.

[@kathy82544]

Brilliantly said.

[@davidringo1399]

hahahaha

[@davidringo1399]

Brilliantly said......hahahahahaha..yeah hes a real Rhodes Scholar.......hahahahaha

[@moba3537]

It's about time

[@davidringo1399]

hahahahahahahahah....duh...duh

[@DaiQuainEpps]

Wow an amazing speech! Great job!

[@edwinwilliams3620]

What a Powerful & Hopeful Speech !!!

[@Spirit-Truth66]

A Very Courageous and Righteous Man and May the Good Lord Bless, Protect and Prosper, Him and His Family!!

[@kellyavery592]

Great man

[@davidringo1399]

hahahahahahaha

[@davidringo1399]

all "thumbs down" are disengaged.......hahahahahaha..losers

[@OdellHobson]

Wow! This is eloquent. I appreciate it.

[@marcmarinacci7378]

MITCH FOR HIGH OFFICE !!

[@davidringo1399]

King of the Rainbow Nation.......oh...oh....oh......You silly savages

[@Sepherend]

That was excellent. On "the wrong side of humanity" indeed.

[@stevenfortney2752]

Very good speech. Very thoughtful and honest.

[@timhall3160]

Such an important speech

[@Nurj81]

What a refreshing truth. Acknowledging the white supremacy and its harm, is the right place to start healing this nation. America is strong because of its beautiful diversity of people and cultures that is not found in any other place on Earth.

[@ashvarma1]

He will make an excellent unifying President. I hope he runs. Ashok Varma M.D.

[@windjunky]

This is someone I can get behind

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

Now (Sept 2019) that I actually live here in New Orleans, this is even more powerful.

[@okeilvaccianna2139]

Well done👏👏

[@drglencoleman]

My kind of American.

[@catholicbeth2371]

I was working in Germany and a young German woman, born decades after the 2nd world war, asked me if I am proud to be English. I remembered my Mum's Cousin who fought at DDay to help liberate Europe. His regiment was the first regiment to liberate Belsen Concentration camp. I said "yes I am proud." She said that she wasn't proud to be German. She was born decades after the 2nd world war she bore no guilt for the Concentration camps but her ancesters were on the wrong side of history. I see the same look, sometimes, in the faces of white Southerners in the US.

[@martinllork807]

truth

[@lenorejohnson5428]

I waited my whole life to see this statue taken down.

[@larrypetersen427]

"It is a misfortune for the dead man, that his enemy survived him, and wrote his story." Friedrich von Schiller

[@TheNimshew]

One of the greatest speeches ever delivered by a American citizen on the horror of bigotry.

[@donjames7971]

The motto he repeats is the Jamaican National Theme, "Out of Many One People" ... a man ahead of his time, 'n in the face of all odds!! I can see these statues in a museum with plaques commenting on their story-in-context, complete and concise ...

[@monabear7287]

It’s also America’s, from the dawn of our country until 1956. It’s still on the seals of many state flags and the seals of both houses of Congress. Jamaica adopted it in 1962. So he’s quoting from our history, not Jamaica’s.

[@jakoe5091]

Every news organization should be running this speech. I know it's long, but it's still worth running. It should be featured as a headline on every web page.

[@patrickcorrigan7768]

How is this man not running for President?

[@Nducre]

I respect this man's choice to be on the right side of History. This is an eloquent speech that hits to the core of racism in America. One man who has done something tangible to right a wrong. Thank you.

[@nolapropertybuyer9732]

The logic holds up.

[@dccorallo]

Why do we have to choose between Biden and Frump? This Guy!!!

[@flylooper]

Seven yeaars later, this speech brings me to tears. Here is a president in waiting.

[@brystelpokluda]

I’m here because of the book called White Too Long…very eye opening book on America’s history with slavery.

[@grecoroberts795]

Could not agree more with Mayor Landrieu; hope he runs in '24 or '28.

[@kmelting5830]

What we need. Someone who can speak the truth to people for a higher purpose

[@maryennis1169]

I keep coming back to this speech & sharing it. So many people are ignorant of all of this. Live in Massachusetts, and people are flying the Confederate battle flag along with their racist "thin blue line" flags.

[@lenorejohnson5428]

When the saints come marching in.. ✨

[@ladyt4062]

Still won’t change anything!!

[@jakoe5091]

His words are why I am a Democrat, liberal, progressive, or whatever other label you want to apply.

[@davidringo1399]

how about .."loser freak"....?

[@carlschmiedeke151]

Ja Koe your what's wrong with our country

[@LisaMurphy]

He takes a lot of money from health insurers and the big banks. This is what you support?

[@hughdman]

An important facet of this amazing speech- It needs to come from those with accents like ours.

[@nefarious67]

Please run for president of the USA, Mr Landrieu. We need you in 2028. 🙏

[@kenyoncastle9853]

its the sipping of the coffee for me, but very informational and very influential. We can do better America

[@jwvandegronden]

truth... Its a beautiful thing! Lets hope BIll Maher is right and manages to get this guy running for office...

[@chfr927]

Wow! It is so nice to hear a person in position of power get outside petty politics and take the long road to speak to truth, love, and humanity.

[@kristofferstout7951]

New Orleans is a lucky city to have Mayor Mitch Landrieu working for them. Maybe one day, Maybe, he will run for president.

[@Summit_is_cool]

Tiden and Brump? no, elect this guy to be the president of the US

[@user-gz5mx2nd5p]

Thank you

[@BluJnGrl]

It appears the speech was edited - is this the full speech? ?

[@menomaminx2nd]

Michele Heck , I caught that too. Suddenly the screen jumps and it goes a significant shade darker for the rest of the speech. .

[@zeusmasterson4117]

Michele Heck It is the full speech. Not sure what was up with the camera work.

[@moh-p7036]

Mitch Landrieu you are a great person :D

[@TheDifferentThinker]

What happened to this patriotic and clear eyed approach to becoming an even greater nation? It has been torn asunder by both Trumpism AND Wokism. It's a crying shame.

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

And, incidentally, the tiresome whining about "Mitch's lack of transparency, and removing the statues under cover of darkness.." this was done in that manner for a very good reason: the lives of the workers who did the actual removal, the contracting companies, and many involved in this controversial but important project were threatened with death. Concerns for their safety were very, very real! If the nay-sayers here had bothered to do their homework (they might start by reading IN THE SHADOW OF STATUES) they would have a better, more fact-based understanding of the courage it took to even propose, and then, implement this. I have nothing but admiration for the now-former Mayor, and will continue to be his supporter, as a New Yorker, and.. when we move back, and relocate to New Orleans next year...

[@TheDifferentThinker]

It as terrorism, plain and simple, that necessitated those concerns for safety.

[@baukebaljeu8636]

This guy oughta be on KH’s ticket

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

Lowering the crime rate is not the point, although I agree New Orleans has a problem in that regard and more needs to be done. BUT this gesture: removing the statues; NOLA's commitment of Landrieu's... to making right what has been so wrong, for so long. That is a clear, active step... in the right direction.

[@davidringo1399]

Yes Really gonna lower crime isnt it..?

[@davidringo1399]

hahahahahahahahahaha another morphodite speaks.......duh

[@Hephoestus69]

2024 !

[@zeusmasterson4117]

Amazing.

[@lph2040]

As powerful a speech as I ever heard about the essence of America and courage to face our past.

[@jasperkoota265]

amen

[@Grymgar]

I loved your speech Mitch but I'm sorry I don't know if New Orleans will be a thing in 300 years. I mean, maybe move it North. At any rate, why didn't this guy run for President this election? I'd have voted for him.

[@carlosvc5811]

I wish he would run for president !

[@ianhilmer2493]

You forgot to mention the cites founder, Jean Baptise Le Moyne, sieur de Bienville.🇨🇦

[@kaym7704]

Amazing speech.

[@TruthB7Told]

I see a Presidential candidate here!

[@cymrugoch]

Should. Have run. For President.

[@Gnosarchist]

As good of a speech this is, it is ironic to cite Bush in the ways that he does and on this issue.

[@armanflint]

In 2020 or less... President Pence/Cruz speech; "We are removing the art from the museums because it is a lie..." "The art is against the ideals of a Christian nation..." "Art must not be allowed to have content that is against the will of God." "You see, the art was created as an alternative to the Christian way..." "Thou shalt not make graven images." "Okay, lets go out and burn some books."

[@davidringo1399]

agreed

[@dannyboyakadandaman504furl9]

never came 2021

[@armanflint]

@@dannyboyakadandaman504furl9 Confederate statues were certainly removed. When things go the other direction, it will be a lot easier to remove art from public places.

[@dannyboyakadandaman504furl9]

@@armanflint they are not doing this for god bruh. Trust me

[@Darkelfin1]

But put up statues of slavery its heroes and its horrible unfairness there realy is no Words.

[@sherodharris3411]

President?

[@southernman5839]

I'm just wondering since the statue's came down has crime gotten better? Does the Mayor have better respect from the black community? Are blacks thriving and doing better in school or at work? Has this helped in all aspects of life for everyone because you can not tell me a statue has held these people down or anybody else?

[@valfrancis5692]

Southern Man have you gotten any bettee personally??

[@chriswatson7965]

It takes time. Cultural change is generational change. Those statues and support for the statues was preventing cultural change. In essence that is why the statues were there.

[@southernman5839]

My personally doesn't destroy or move historic statue's of the past for political gain or to satisfy a few people that think statues hold them down due to false accusations . I know if this was voted on by the people the statue's would still be there. Democrat's take them down during the middle of the night because they know their wrong!

[@chriswatson7965]

Southern - yes, and if the North hadn't forced the South to abandon slavery it would have had it for a lot longer because that is what the majority wanted. Just because the majority wants something doesn't make it right, that is why laws are judged by an independent judiciary, and why countries have constitutions. Democracy is not simply doing what the majority wants, it is a system of government where everybody's views are considered in context with accepted norms and laws.

[@BluJnGrl]

Did they make anything better?

[@jaanyagardner9288]

I love his accent

[@loliloloso]

Great speech! I come to this page from a book I read: White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, by Robert P. Jones. Check it out, it is very informative.

[@elaanfaun]

Xrist, this makes me wanna watch "Jazz" ...Again x 4

[@mathilde3217]

4:09

[@mathilde3217]

4:10

[@piyushsopory5817]

Presidential candidate

[@DDD033]

I wish all white people were like this. It's inspiring to even just hear one imagine if we were all like this

[@LisaMurphy]

He's just posturing, he's a politician. Glad most white people are not like him.

[@ItsCherry504]

He’s actually mixed with black as well you know...