Workers in Charlottesville, Virginia, placed a large black tarp Wednesday over a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that was the site of violent protests earlier this month.Officials in Charlottesville, Virginia, have found black fabric big enough to shroud two controversial Confederate statues — and the covers could be in place by week’s end, the City Council clerk said.Hunting down fabric swaths large enough to drape over the monuments of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson had proven tough, the clerk, Paige Rice, told CNN.
But by Wednesday morning, the shrouds were on their way, she said.“The drapes have been ordered and may be in place by the end of the week, pending department resources to properly secure them at both statues,” she told CNN.At a heated meeting Monday, the Charlottesville City Council unanimously voted to cover the two statues in black.The vote was meant to signal the city mourning the death of Heather Heyer, who was killed August 12 when a car plowed into a crowd of counterprotesters who’d gathered to oppose a rally of white nationalist and other right-wing organizations.
Since when do statues mourn? The people of Charlottesville simply were not asked. The only discussion was at a council meeting this week. No advance notice. Unilateral decisions were made.
There was never discussion about removing Stonewall Jackson, to my knowledge.
I expect the City Council needs to take a long hard look at the deeds to the land both statues are on. Can Charlottesville afford the lawsuits?
How long will the shrouds stay? No one knows. I supposed shrouded statues might attract an unsavory element just as well as enshrouded statues.
What a shame.
