Children gather on Monument Avenue to promote love and understanding

Civil monuments are the center of controversy right now. Yesterday, a group of students from The ARTS Community Center in Midlothian gathered at the Robert E. Lee statue to share messages of peace, love, and understanding.

NBC12 has more, including quotes from the students:

On a humid Thursday morning, sixteen children stood below a monument to send a message, and that message was simple.

“We’re not out here to choose a side, pick a side. We’re just out here to spread kindness and love,” said Carlton Jones.

Below are a few images captured on Instagram.

Happening now! #rva

A post shared by Susan Howson (@susanhowson) on Aug 17, 2017 at 9:39am PDT

I stand with these guys

A post shared by Anne Soffee (@annesoffee) on Aug 17, 2017 at 9:14am PDT

Shout out to the homie @zbeythapoet_ @streetlovinginrva & the children from @theartsrva summer arts program for coming out to spread love the VA way!! #streetlovinginrva

A post shared by Jamila J. (@kismetj) on Aug 17, 2017 at 8:46am PDT

Bumped into a group of about 20 kids with signs near the Lee monument in #RVA. “We’re spreading peace and love,” they told me. “People’s hearts change when they see kids.”

A post shared by Evanne Armour (@evannearmour) on Aug 17, 2017 at 11:27am PDT