News
Lee Monument to Come Down on Wednesday
The press release states that there will be limited viewing spots available.
Road closure begin today and will last through Thursday as the State takes down the last civil war monument on Monument Avenue. The statues will be removed on Wednesday and then on Thursday crews will come back and remove the plaques from the base of the monument and replace the time capsule. The 40-foot base will remain in place for now as the state decides how to deal with the public space.
Once the statue is hoisted off the pedestal, it’s expected to be cut into two pieces for transport, although the final plan is subject to change, said Dena Potter, a spokeswoman for the state’s Department of General Services.
Limited viewing opportunities will be available on a first‐come, first‐serve basis but for those that can’t make it down the removal will also be livestreamed through the governor’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, both of which have the handle of @governorVA.
For those thinking of taking their drones out to view the takedown, a word of warning from the VA Capitol Police Twitter.
Per an order from the FAA, drones are temporarily banned over and near the Robert E. Lee monument site. The ban, which covers a 2-nautical-mile radius around the statue, took effect at one minute past midnight Tuesday morning and is to remain in place until 11:59 p.m. Thursday.
