The statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee dominated Richmond’s Monument Avenue for over 130 years, rising above monuments to other Confederate leaders that punctuated the aptly named boulevard. Installed in 1890 in homage to Virginia’s famous son, Lee’s statue was an important artefact that signaled Richmond’s confederate sympathies. Following the death of George Floyd in June 2020 while in police custody, the state-owned monument became one of many sites of protest against the racist treatment of black and brown people in the USA. Colorful graffiti memorializing people of color who had lost their lives to police violence, exhortations for unity among minorities in their fight for social justice and empowerment, and profanities were painted on the statue’s granite base. Protestors called for the removal of the statue and renamed the circle (known as Lee Circle) on which it stood as Marcus-David Peters Circle after a black Richmond resident who was shot and killed by the police in 2018. A banner proclaiming that the circle was liberated by the people in MMXX (2020) can be seen in the photo. At night, images of minorities killed by police and symbols like the pride flag were projected on the base of the statue. After some legal wrangling, the statue was finally removed on September 8, 2021 and has been placed in storage. However, the plinth with its colorful graffiti remains and is now encircled by a tall fence, preventing access by protestors and apologists alike.
Cultural Geography Specialty Group 