ByJared Leone, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville, Virginia (NCD)
ByJared Leone, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Work to remove a Confederate monument that was the scene of a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, nearly four years ago started Saturday morning.
The removal of the bronze statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee riding atop his horse Traveller comes nearly four years after violence erupted at a “Unite the Right” rally in the city, which left counterprotester Heather Heyer dead.
The violence sparked a national debate on racial equity.
“Taking down this statue is one small step closer to the goal of helping Charlottesville, Virginia, and America, grapple with the sin of being willing to destroy Black people for economic gain,” Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker said as a crane neared the monument.
The statue and another of Gen. Stonewall Jackson were removed Saturday but will remain on city property until officials determine what to do with them. There are at least 10 groups that are interested in taking the statues.
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Confederate Monuments Removed Workers prepare to remove the monuments of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in Charlottesville, Va. The removal of the Lee statue follows years of contention, community anguish and legal fights. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) (John C. Clark)
Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker speaks before the removal of the monuments of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson from Market Street Park on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in Charlottesville, Va. The removal of the Lee statue follows years of contention, community anguish and legal fights. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) (John C. Clark/AP)
Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville Workers prepare to remove the monuments of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in Charlottesville, Va. The removal of the Lee statue follows years of contention, community anguish and legal fights. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) (John C. Clark/AP)
Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville FILE - A statue of Stonewall Jackson is seen uncovered in Justice Park, in Charlottesville, Va., on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Charlottesville said in a news release Friday, July 9, 2021, that the equestrian statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee as well as a nearby one of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson will be taken down Saturday.(Zack Wajsgras/The Daily Progress via AP) (Zack Wajsgras/AP)
Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville FILE - The statue of Robert E. Lee is seen uncovered in Emancipation Park in Charlottesville, Va., on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Charlottesville said in a news release Friday, July 9, 2021, that the equestrian statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee as well as a nearby one of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson will be taken down Saturday. (Zack Wajsgras/The Daily Progress via AP) (Zack Wajsgras/AP)
Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville Workers prepare to remove the monument of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in Charlottesville, Va. The removal of the Lee statue follows years of contention, community anguish and legal fights. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) (John C. Clark/AP)
Robert E. Lee statue removed in Charlottesville Workers prepare to remove the monument of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in Charlottesville, Va. The removal of the Lee statue follows years of contention, community anguish and legal fights. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) (John C. Clark/AP)
Zyahna Bryant was a high school student when she pushed to have the Lee monument removed in 2016. While the petition was successful, a lawsuit was quickly filed as white supremacists took up the issue causing the city to put the plans on hold.
“This is well overdue,” said Bryant, now a student at the University of Virginia. “No platform for white supremacy. No platform for racism. No platform for hate.”
