Robert E Lee statue removed from US Capitol, Virginia governor says
WASHINGTON - A Robert E. Lee statue that stood for more than 100 years in the U.S. Capitol has been removed, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Monday.
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Statues celebrating confederate leaders, or historic leaders with ties to slavery, have become a focal point for activists in wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
READ MORE: Virginia's Ralph Northam pushes to remove Robert E. Lee statue from US Capitol
According to Northam, the statue, which was presented alongside a George Washington statue in 1909, was taken down overnight.
A state commission recently voted on replacing Lee's statue with one honoring civil rights leader Barbara Johns.
READ MORE: Virginia panel wants Barbara Johns statue to replace Robert E. Lee in US Capitol
Virginia’s General Assembly must still vote to approve Johns’ statue.
Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexler and Senator Tim Kaine were on hand to witness its removal.
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