In Richmond, VA, dozens of protesters surrounded a monument to Gen. Robert E. Lee in the name of defending it, but the group was surrounded by hundreds of people marching for unity and against white supremacy.
Video from CBS:
Protesters defending Confederate statues surrounded a monument in Richmond, but counter-protesters outnumbered them: https://t.co/coVbxA3zY1 pic.twitter.com/687SP65CYR
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 16, 2017
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CBS News reported, “Protesters defending Confederate statues surrounded a monument of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, Saturday, but counter-protesters far outnumbered them, forming a crowd of several hundred people.”
The Richmond Police reported that there had been no violence:
Peaceful protest update: No arrests, no injuries. Peaceful expression by the public continues. #0916 pic.twitter.com/DJEIFZXHAV
— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) September 16, 2017
There was one woman arrested for disorderly conduct:
The woman detained earlier near the Stuart statue has been charged with disorderly conduct. #rva0916 pic.twitter.com/RrIvJnY2lD
— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) September 16, 2017
People aren’t fooled talk of protecting statues and coded language about “protecting heritage.” The heritage the monument supporters are protecting is rooted in racism and a system of white superiority. Contrary to what Trump says statues of Robert E. Lee aren’t comparable to those of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Washington and Jefferson founded a country. Lee tried to tear it apart with the bloodiest war ever on US soil.
Good people are making their voices heard. With Charlottesville still fresh in the minds of people all of the nation, it is clear that if the President Of The United States won’t speak up for what is right, the American people are going to have to take to the streets to defend the values of the nation.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association