Confederate statues falling across the U.S.
Divided cities struggle with the fate of these monuments, which some view as historical markers, while others see as symbols of hate
The city of Charlottesville, Va., draped two Confederate monuments in black tarp Wednesday afternoon as a symbol of the city’s mourning for a woman who was killed while protesting a white nationalist rally.
The work began in Emancipation Park, where workers using ropes and poles draped a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee in the tarp. Some in the crowd cheered as others took photos and video.
“It’s great. It’s a good start,” said Jamie Dyer from nearby Justice Park, where workers later covered a statue of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
The violence that erupted on Aug. 12 in Charlottesville brought renewed attention to Confederate symbols. Charlottesville, like many other cities, has struggled over what to do with its Confederate-era statues, which some view as markers of history. Others see them as symbols of hate and reminders of pain.
Here’s a look at other monuments that have been taken down since the violence in Charlottesville:
Durham, N.C. — On Aug. 14, protesters toppled a Confederate statue during a rally outside the Durham County Courthouse. On Aug. 19, a statue of Lee was removed from the entrance of Duke University Chapel. University president Vincent Price authorized the removal, saying the removal represented an “opportunity for us to learn and heal.”
Gainesville, Fla. — A monument to Confederate soldiers nicknamed “Old Joe” in downtown Gainesville was taken down on Aug. 14. Its removal was hotly contested for a year. In the end, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, who put it up 113 years ago, agreed to remove and take the statue after other groups declined it.
St. Petersburg, Fla. — On Aug. 15, the city removed the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Highway marker from the downtown waterfront.
San Diego — Just days after the deadly protests in Charlottesville, a plaque honoring Jefferson Davis was removed by the city from Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego.
Los Angeles — On Aug. 16, a six-foot monument to Confederate soldiers was removed from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. A spokesperson for the group told the Los Angeles Times the monument was taken down due to issues with vandalism.
Baltimore — On Aug. 16, four Confederate monuments were taken down after Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh cited safety concerns. “They needed to come down,” Pugh said in an interview with the Baltimore Sun.
Brooklyn, N.Y. — A 105-yearold plaque marking a tree planted by Lee in Brooklyn during the 1840s was removed on Aug. 16, along with a second plaque installed in 1935, according to the New York Daily News.
New York — Busts of Lee and Jackson were removed overnight on Aug. 17 from the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at Bronx Community College.
Franklin, Ohio — A monument dedicated to Lee was removed overnight on Aug. 17 by the city of Franklin. Located on the Dixie highway, the stone monument was erected by the United Daughter of Confederacy 90 years ago.
Madison, Wis. — A plaque lauding Confederate soldiers buried at a local cemetery was removed on Aug. 17, and Madison mayor Paul Soglin said a second memorial would be coming down as well.
Worthington, Ohio — On Aug. 18, a historic marker outside the home of Roswell Ripley, a Confederate general who was born and raised in the city, was taken down following a recommendation by city officials anticipating protests, The Columbia Dispatch reported.
Annapolis, Md.— On Aug. 18, a statue of Roger B. Taney, the U.S. Supreme Court justice who wrote the 1857 Dred Scott decision upholding slavery and denying citizenship to African Americans, was lifted away by crane from the grounds of the Maryland State House. The statue had stood in front of the statehouse since 1872.
Daytona Beach, Fla. — Three plaques honoring Confederate soldiers were removed from a park in downtown Daytona Beach on Aug. 18. A city spokesperson said they would be cleaned and donated to a local historical society.
Helena, Mont. — Montana’s capital removed a fountain donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy more than 100 years ago. It was supposedly the only Confederate monument in the upper Rockies.