A statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was removed from the Capitol overnight.
The statue has stood alongside one of America’s first president, George Washington, for over 100 years as the contribution of the state of Virginia to the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, announced on Monday that the state will try to replace it with a statue of civil rights icon Barbara Johns.
“We can all be proud of this important step forward for our Commonwealth and our country,” said Northam. “The Confederacy is a symbol of Virginia’s racist and divisive history, and it is time we tell our story with images of persistence, diversity and inclusion. I look forward to seeing a pioneering young woman of color represent Virginia at the Capitol, where visitors can learn about Barbara Johns’ contributions to America and enable them to bring about positive change in their communities, just if she. “
A representative from Northam’s office attended for the move, along with Sen. Tim Kaine
Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineSen. Alexander plays Christmas carols in the Senate office building in Durbin to become the best Democrat on the judicial panel, keep No. 2 spot Durbin’s fate unclear after rule vote confuses MORE (D-Va.) And Rep. Jennifer Wexton
Jennifer Lynn Wexton Lawmakers are expressing concern about the lack of young people in the federal workforce. The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Today: Vaccine Distribution Begins, Electoral College Gathers. On The Money: Coronavirus Aid Talks Crash As Liability Issues Prevent Negotiators | Sanders, Hawley Vows Fight To Get Incentive Checks | Senate passes bill to prevent closure MORE (D), who represents much of Northern Virginia in Congress.
Earlier this year, a state commission recommended the statue’s removal from the Capitol.
The committee led by Senator Louise Lucas (D) voted unanimously to remove it.
“Confederate images do not represent who we are in Virginia, so we voted unanimously to remove this image,” Lucas said in a statement. “I am delighted that this day has finally arrived and I would like to thank Governor Northam and the Commission for their transformative work.”
The statue will be transported to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Northam’s office said.
Northam’s proposed budget for the state includes $ 500,000 towards the creation of the Johns statue, which is to be approved by the General Assembly.
In recent years, social justice activists and some politicians have called for the removal of Southern statues across the country, saying they glorified racism and bigotry. The 2017 deadly clash between white supremacists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, came after a statue of Lee was removed there.
In the wake of George Floyd’s death this summer, calls to remove connected statues were renewed. Northam, who was elected in 2017, has said he thinks Confederate monuments should be placed in museums rather than displayed in public.