The City of Alexandria’s hands have been tied when it comes to deciding whether to remove Confederate statues — but a new state law could give local governments the authority to “remove, relocate, or alter any monument or memorial for war veterans located in its public space, regardless of when erected.”
The Virginia Senate carried the bill on party lines (21-19). In the House, where Democrats are also in control, a version of the bill is expected to pass. Gov. Ralph Northam said he supports the bill, making it likely to pass.
Here in Alexandria, city officials have taken steps toward removing Confederate names. The City renamed Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1, now called Richmond Highway). Alexandria officials also have asked state officials for permission to relocate the Appomattox statue annually since 2016.
Statue, which is owned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and remains in the middle of the intersection of Washington and Prince Streets, where it causes a hazard to drivers.
The state laws currently in place have strict limits on whether cities and counties can remove or change the historic monuments. Statute 15.2-1812, “Memorials for War Veterans,” states:
If such are erected, it shall be unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation and care of same. For purposes of this section, "disturb or interfere with" includes removal of, damaging or defacing monuments or memorials, or, in the case of the War Between the States, the placement of Union markings or monuments on previously designated Confederate memorials or the placement of Confederate markings or monuments on previously designated Union memorials.
Now, with the Virginia legislature on the precipice of voting to allow local governments to decide what to do with war memorials, it is likely that Alexandria will move forward with its efforts to move the Appomattox statue.
In an email to Alexandria Living Magazine, Mayor Justin Wilson wrote:
“In September of 2016, the Council voted unanimously to pursue moving the statue out of the middle of Washington Street. Since that time, the Council has annually requested permission as part of our legislative package to obtain authority to allow us to move the statue. The legislation you are referring to is legislation that the City supported. Assuming the Governor signs the legislation, I would imagine the City would work with the Daughters of the Confederacy to actualize our adopted position.”
The bronze statue in Alexandria commemorates Confederate soldiers from Alexandria. M. Caspar Buberl created the sculpture after it was commissioned by the United Confederate Veterans in the late 1880s. Its dedication ceremony was May 24, 1889. It is modeled after a painting of a soldier surveying the damage from the famous battle in Appomattox County, Virginia, during the Civil War.
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