Posted on 01/02/2020 2:07:52 PM PST by Perseverando
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) filed a request for a bill that would replace Virginia’s statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in the United States Capitol building.
The governor filed a drafting request for legislation that would outline a process to remove the statue on Monday, Dec. 23, in addition to choosing a replacement for the confederate leader, Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky confirmed to The Associated Press. The state has two statues in the National Sanctuary Hall Collection in the Capitol.
The filing came after two Virginia Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Jennifer Wexton and A. Donald McEachin, both requested that Northam prioritize removing the Lee statue as one of the state’s statues in the Capitol.
ADVERTISEMENT “These statutes aimed to rewrite Lee’s reputation from that of a cruel slave owner and Confederate General to portraying him as a kind man and reluctant war hero who selflessly served his home state of Virginia,” Wexton and McEachin wrote in a letter last week.
“As Virginians, we have a responsibility to not only learn from but also confront our history,” they added. “As part of this responsibility, we must strive for a more complete telling of history by raising up the voices, stories, and memories of minorities and people of color.”
Yarmosky confirmed to the AP that Northam’s office had discussed removing the statue with both of the lawmakers’ offices “and we look forward to continuing to work with them and all others who are committed to making Virginia open, inclusive, and equitable.”
The National Statuary Hall Collection is made up of 100 statues honoring two people from each state. Virginia is also represented by George Washington in the Capitol Crypt, which frequently hosts tour groups.
Wexton and McEachin also recommended a number of Virginians who could replace Lee in their letter last month, including educator and orator Booker T. Washington and civil rights attorney Oliver Hill.
Other states have also removed their Confederate statues in the Capitol. Florida replaced Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith with civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune in 2018.
The Hill has reached out to Northam’s office for comment.
TAGS DONALD MCEACHIN JENNIFER WEXTON
Boy, Governor "CoonMan" has sure been busy burning his bridges. Lord help Virginia.
Taliban Ralph
I can’t wait to hear who he’d replace Lee with.
So. Right after he takes every last gun from law abiding Virginians - he’s gonna head up to DC and take a statue?
He’s freaking brain damaged delusional.
The people are getting what they voted for.
I can’t wait to hear who he’d replace Lee with
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Himself. In darkface.
I guess he doesn’t have any BABIES TO KILL and he’s BORED!
To be replaced by a Statue of Al Jolson.
He is a complete piece of sh*t, isn’t he.
Needs to be slapped back into his place.
Replace it with a statue of Al Jolson in “drag.”
Elections have consequences.
I think the boy has bit off more than he can chew.
The statue has to be replaced with a statue of a black in order to be woke and pander to his constituency. Don’t they have any tar and feathers in Virginia?
The start of Virginzuela?
Did he suggest that we make the statue comfortable while we have a discussion about what to do with it?
The DC swamp in Northern VA has overwhelmed the good people of the rest of the state and its just a shame.
I can’t wait to hear who he’d replace Lee with.
Likely it will be Kunta Kinte.
Much better pictures of the statue in Richmond: HERE
WTF. Next thing you know they’ll be renaming every street and highway in the commonwealth.
Ole Blackface Northam himself. . . .
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