But amid international tensions and fears about Russian hacking of U.S. elections, Elizabeth City elected officials have rejected a memorandum of understanding that was to be the next step. The previous city council unanimously approved the statue in May 2017. Located in northeastern North Carolina near the Virginia border, Elizabeth City was founded in 1793 and has a population of about 18,000. In 2013, the local Republican Party challenged an African-American college student's candidacy for city council. At one meeting, council member Darius Horton asked the city manager if Elizabeth City has any monuments to minorities or women.

Source: ABC News March 24, 2018 13:04 UTC