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Dedication Monument to Robert E. Lee and Four Other Confederates
In honor of Lee, an equestrian statue and four other Confederates Monuments were placed in Richmond, Virginia. -
City Council Charlottesville, Virginia Voted to Remove sculpture of Lee
Following the protest by white supremacists that erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia, nearly four years ago, city authorities have removed the REL statue and another one as well. -
REL South East Panel
In the southeast corner of Robert E. Lee statue, photos of two young people are centered, surrounded by years of pent up aggression. A sign on the right states “A Riot Is the Language Of The Unheard”. The messages are chaotic, layered as responses of despair, frustration and unbridled anger. This was a time of grief, anger, and retaliation by bringing down Robert E. Lee and two other Confederate statues. -
Unrest after George Floyd
After George Floyd's death in May 31, 2020, protests for social justice turned destructive in many cities in the South. In Richmond, police use pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds gathered at the Lee Monument. A few days later (June 4), Virginia Governor Northam orders the monument to be taken down, which is followed by lawsuits asking for injunctions to prevent removal. -
U.S. Capitol Removes Robert E. Lee statue
The removal of REL comes from a widespread protest in the U.S. due to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in the hands of a white police officer. Floyd’s death ignites a national conversation about systemic racism and police brutality. -
Protracted legal issues
Lawsuits asking to prevent the removal of the statue start being appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court in Early 2021. Agreeing to hear the courses in February, the case is not heard for another four months until June. In September, the state Supreme Court rules the state can remove the Lee monument.