UAMS drops photo of Capitol statue

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock has removed from display a 10-by-12-inch photograph depicting the Arkansas Confederate Soldiers Monument, which sits in front of the state Capitol.

The early 20th century structure is among monuments that are “viewed by many as a sign of white supremacy and oppression,” UAMS spokeswoman Leslie Taylor wrote in an email Friday.

Taylor said the photograph came to UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson’s attention via messages on Twitter. It was then removed, she said.

Last week, the academic medical center hosted a “White Coats for Black Lives” event, in which medical professionals gathered to condemn racial bias and police brutality.

At the event, staff members knelt in silence to commemorate George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died when a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes.