The decision comes as Confederate statues across the country, Virginia included, have been vandalized and destroyed amid the protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's killing.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced earlier this month that the Robert E. Lee monument in Richmond would be removed as soon as possible and placed in storage. The statue is currently graffitied with several signs reading phrases like, "Say Their Names" and "Know Justice Know Peace" placed in front of the monument.
However, a Richmond judge issued a 10-day injunction on the governor’s order due to a lawsuit seeking to stop the removal. A spokeswoman for the governor said the judge's decision is under review, according to NPR.
"Gov. Northam remains committed to removing this divisive symbol from Virginia's capital city, and we're confident in his authority to do so," she said.
Following the news of the injunction, Northam tweeted out a promise that the statue will be removed, writing, "Make no mistake: it will come down.”
To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to these organizations:
- Campaign Zero (joincampaignzero.org) which works to end police brutality in America through research-proven strategies.
- ColorofChange.org works to make the government more responsive to racial disparities.
- National Cares Mentoring Movement (caresmentoring.org) provides social and academic support to help Black youth succeed in college and beyond
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