Two conflicting petitions regarding Weld Central High School’s strikingly Civil-war-era-soldier-looking mascot, the Weld Central Rebel, are currently circulating online among community members. 
The petitions — one advocating a change in school mascot, the other defending its existence — mirror high-profile incidents across the nation regarding disagreements about Civil War monuments and homages.
The contention at Weld Central arose in the week following violence at a white nationalist rally Aug. 12 in Charlottesville, Va., protesting the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Around the country officials have removed, often quietly, Confederate monuments. Duke University removed a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee after it was vandalized amid a national debate about monuments to the Confederacy.
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh ordered four Confederate statues in Baltimore removed under the cover of night.
Workers in Charlottesville draped giant black covers over two statues of Confederate generals.
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