Posted: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 12:24 pm DAILY PROGRESS STAFF REPORTS

Tensions were high Tuesday morning at Lee Park as several protesters bearing Confederate imagery rallied against a press conference regarding a public proposal to remove the Gen. Robert E. Lee statue from the park.

The Charlottesville City Council agreed Monday evening to consider convening a Blue Ribbon Commission that will explore how the statues honoring Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson can be moved from their current locations downtown.

The Council is expected to consider the resolution on April 18. If approved, the committee would be formed in 30 days and then be responsible to provide the council with a report within 60 days.

The proposal was met with resistance Tuesday, as Confederate heritage and preservation groups such as the Virginia Flaggers and Army of Northern Virginia - Mechanized Cavalry protested and shouted at speakers during the conference.

The conference ended peacefully Tuesday, but the yelling and disruption made for an awkward tension that dissipated shortly after 10 a.m.

“I believe we have a responsibility as leaders to do what is best for this entire city,” Bellamy said as a number of voices attempted to drown him out.

“You will hear in the months coming that there may be no legal ground; that this is heritage, not hate; and that this is stirring trouble and making our community divided. But when I see people of different races and ages here to battle for what is right, I am encouraged.”

Several protesters Tuesday said Bellamy and the council is guilty of promoting the strife.

“This was a rigged job,” said Joe Draego, a protester who repeatedly interrupted speakers during the conference.

“There should have been an opposing point of view. When people can’t have an opposing point of view or a respectful conversation, that’s all that’s left here -- hollering over speakers because we can’t speak ourselves,” Draego said.

“Wes Bellamy is creating divisiveness and hatred, not unity,” he said.

Protesters: Council creating strife over C'ville Confederate statues - Star-Exponent: Culpeper Star Exponent