Virginia Gov. Northam announces that his administration will remove pedestal that until earlier this year held a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond.
but the Democratic governor said the 40-foot-tall pedestal, currently covered in graffiti, would stay.
“It was important to us that we do it now and before we leave office,” said Alena Yarmosky, Northam’s spokeswoman.The deeding of the land, which was given to the commonwealth in the 19th century, was a request from the city so that the parcel could come under local control, Yarmosky said. State ownership has created logistical headaches with maintenance and security, she said.
The statue of Robert E. Lee stands on the ground after it was lowered from its pedestal at Robert E. Lee Memorial during a removal Sept. 8, 2021 in Richmond, Va.Northam ordered its removal in the summer of 2020 amid the nationwide protest movement that erupted after theby a police officer in Minneapolis. But litigation tied up his plans until this year.
In September, Northam said the pedestal would remain in place so its future could be determined by a community-driven effort to reimagine Monument Avenue, an initiative being led by an arts museum and currently in a very early stage. “The Mayor appreciates the Governor’s willingness to transfer this land back to city control,” Jim Nolan, a spokesman for Mayor Levar Stoney, said in a statement. “And because the Mayor believes Richmond deserves a clean slate when we take it, he supports the Governor’s decision to remove the pedestal.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Virginia to begin removal process of Robert E. Lee statue pedestal in Richmond, governor saysCNN News, delivered. Select from our newsletters below and enter your email to subscribe.
Read more »
Virginia will remove pedestal of former Robert E. Lee statue, governor saysVirginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Sunday plans to remove the remaining pedestal that previously propped up Richmond's Robert E. Lee statue and turn the land over to the city.Why it matters: This marks a final step in the complete removal of the public memorial to the confederate general, following the statue's removal in September.Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.The big picture: The process of removing the pedestal is expected to be 'substantiall
Read more »
Decorated senator and World War II hero Robert Dole dies at 98Robert Dole served in Congress for decades. He passed away Sunday morning at the age of 98.
Read more »
Virginia to begin removal process of Robert E. Lee statue pedestal in Richmond, governor saysCNN News, delivered. Select from our newsletters below and enter your email to subscribe.
Read more »