Faith leaders introduce resolution calling for removal of Market House from downtown Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fayetteville faith leaders of all denominations and races issued a call to action after weeks of unrest across the globe.

In the Sandhills, all eyes are on the heart of downtown Fayetteville as Rev. Chris Stackhouse of Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church spearheads an effort to remove the Market House.

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"The slave Market House symbolizes pain and suffering. This is a place where families were destroyed," said Stackhouse. "It's shameful. It's in the heart of our city. It's a reminder that this city didn't even see us as people. They saw us as property."

RELATED: Online petition to knock down Fayetteville's Market House reaches more than 100K signatures

According to Stackhouse, he along with a team of faith leaders drafted a resolution to remove the Market House. He admitted to being reluctant in leading the effort.

His efforts have come as some businesses in downtown Fayetteville remain boarded up from demonstrations following George Floyd's death.

RELATED: Thousands celebrate the life of George Floyd near his North Carolina birthplace

The Fayetteville Faith Task Force, along with the help of a few hundred residents, introduced the resolution to city council on Monday evening.

READ: Full Fayetteville Faith Task Force resolution

In it, the group describes trying to remove the "slave stigma" by tearing down the building and replacing it with a symbol of unity that defines the "All American City."

Supporters of the Market House have long argued removing it means removing a significant part of history.

"Here's what I've been telling people that don't think it should be removed. What if it were your family? What if it were your daughters that were sold and you never saw them again," said Stackhouse.

$5,000 reward offered for information about people involved in Market House fire

After Stackhouse and others read the resolution to city officials, the reverend went back outside City Hall to speak to the demonstrators.

"There is change happening all across our nation. Monuments of degradation, pain, and shame and slavery and Confederacy are falling all around our nation, and there's no reason why it can't fall in our own city," Stackhouse said.

City Council took no action this evening regarding the proposal, but it will be something they look at in future meetings.