SPLC Applauds Unanimous Charlottesville City Council Vote to Remove Two Confederate Statues from Public Parks

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Charlottesville City Council unanimously voted to remove two statues of Confederate generals in its parks from public display. The statue of Robert E. Lee was the focal point for the Unite the Right rally in 2017.

The following statement is from SPLC Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks:

“We applaud the Charlottesville City Council and its citizens for remaining diligent in its decision to remove symbols of white supremacy from public spaces* – specifically parks that were created as a safe place for Virginians to commune and connect.

“We remember and honor the memory of Heather Heyer and her stand against white supremacy at the deadly Unite the Right rally in 2017.

“Charlottesville has waited long enough. The SPLC urges the Supreme Court of Virginia to follow the community’s lead and permit the removal of all statues and symbols of white supremacy from public property.”

###

*In Virginia alone, 269 Confederate symbols remain on public land; 93 of those symbols are monuments. Virginia removed 71 Confederate symbols from public spaces in 2020, the most removals in the U.S.