Denton mans’ years of activism in city square leads to change

Local activist Willie Hudspeth has become a constant figure of Denton County Square.

Nearly every Sunday, he sits in his folding chair along the walkway between the courthouse and the Confederate monument on the edge of the sidewalk, patiently waiting for others to walk past him. In front of him are multiple signs he’s placed across the lawn, featuring different bolded phrases – “Say no to racism.” “Move the statue.” “Vote for change.”

Hudspeth says he’s always open to peaceful discussions regarding his signs, as he believes there isn’t much dialogue about important issues shared between people today.

“People need to talk,” Hudspeth said. “We all need to talk, ask questions and gather information to really learn from each other.”

For over 20 years, Hudspeth attempted to make changes toward the monument, such as turning on its fountains and adding plaques denouncing slavery. However, his proposals were continuously disregarded by the Denton County Commissioners Court.

In 2018, Hudspeth began sitting behind the monument nearly every Sunday to make his cause more known. Occasionally, others would stop and listen to Hudspeth and express their appreciation for his work, but never stayed with him for long. Hudspeth continued to fight alone.

“Most of that time, I was sitting there all by myself,” Hudspeth said. “It was me and God.”

After years of watching his father’s efforts, mayoral candidate Gerard Hudspeth became aware that his father’s journey was a lonely one, but was also confident that his perseverance would prevail.

“I didn’t see any effect, but you know it’s there,” Gerard said. “But, he’s had a lifetime of taking these types of actions that make him resolute in his thinking and persistence.”

Though the Commissioners Court voted to add informational plaques describing the monument’s history in 2018, Hudspeth began advocating for the monument’s removal in spring 2020 after being given information detailing how the monument’s funding organization, United Daughters of the Confederacy, had ties to the Ku Klux Klan. A month later, on June 9, the Commissioners Court voted to have the monument removed and later relocated.

After requests for an interview, County Judge Andy Eads was unavailable for comment. In a Denton County Commissioners Court news release, Eads acknowledged that Americans have been touched by recent civil unrest across the country regarding similar monuments representing American history.

“We have tried hard to thread the needle between these views: to honor sacrifice while respecting the sensibilities of people who have approached the Denton County Commissioners Court in good faith. We intend to continue to do so,” Eads said.

Several weeks later, on June 25, the monument was removed. Hudspeth drove down to the site at 4 a.m. to witness his work’s completion. After seeing the statue taken down, Hudspeth said achieving his goal comes with mixed emotions, as he no longer has to look at his accomplishments with guarded optimism.

“Right now I’m just kind of in a daze,” Hudspeth said. “I’m hysterically happy.”

Additionally, in light of current movements, Hudspeth wants to address flaws he sees in Black Lives Matter. He believes in order to properly address crimes against the Black community, Black-on-Black crime statistics must be brought into the conversation, as well.

“I’m tired of hearing “Black Lives Matter,‘” Hudspeth said. “If we matter, then we need to stop killing ourselves.”

As he pursues his causes, Hudspeth hopes the community will come together and realize the importance of using their voice for what they believe in.

“Don’t just look and move on, do something,” Hudspeth said. “Come join me at the school board meeting. Go to the city council meeting. Speak out, ask questions and get involved.”

Hudspeth said he will continue to educate others about his movements as he always had. Others can still find him and his signs nearly every Sunday in the same spot on the courthouse lawn, now more visible since the removal of the statue he ardently worked to have removed.

“I’ve got this voice because of this,” Hudspeth said. “When I say something, people will listen. They might not agree, but they will listen.”