Richmond, Virginia, once considered the capital of the Confederacy, will put to rest one of the city’s most infamous symbols of that chapter of history when a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee is removed Wednesday.
Gov. Ralph Northam’s order for the statue’s removal in June 2020 was delayed by numerous legal challenges, but the state Supreme Court upheld his decision last week, a local ABC News affiliate reported.
State officials said preparations for removing the statue that once graced Monument Avenue will begin Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Crews are also set to install protective fencing along Monument Avenue and Allen Street in Richmond to ensure the safety of the people removing the statue, and those who want to see its removal in person.