-
Placement of the Robert E. Lee Statue
The erection and creation of this statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, came after years of the idolization of Robert E. Lee as a war hero by Southerners at that time. He was a confederate general who many looked up to, inspiring the creation of the monument. -
North Panel, Summer of 2020
Panel Number 6 -
Death of George Floyd and Beginning of Protests and Riots
The Death of George Floyd was one of the events that initiated mass social unrest,protests, riots, and more. It wasn't just George Floyd's passing, it was other similar stories and deaths due to police brutality that contributed to mass social & political unrest, like the death of Brianna Taylor as well. This is what led to the graffiti on the statue, with phrases like "ACAB," "Fuck 12," "cops are pigs," "No Justice No Peace," and other similar sentiments relating to police brutality. -
Removal of the Monument
Due to the protests that began in 2020, there was a call to remove this particular statue of Robert E. Lee, as well as other monuments that payed homage to and honored confederate generals, slave owners, and more. The original intention to remove the statue was made in June of 2020, but it was kept up until 2021 due to a lawsuit by a group of Richmond residents who wanted the statue to be kept up.