RICHMOND, Va. -- The Virginia Department of General Services installed concrete barriers around the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond on Wednesday morning.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered the monument removed as soon as possible. Lawsuits have since been filed to prevent its removal.
"This work [to prepare for the removal] will continue while we await the outcome of the litigation," a Virginia Department of General Services spokesperson said. "To that end, today DGS is installing temporary concrete barriers around the monument. These barriers are intended to protect the safety of everyone speaking out to make their voices heard, as well as the structure itself."
In a release @DGSvirginia says they are still working to plan for the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue as directed by @GovernorVA, but these barriers (now going up) will remain in place as they await the result of recent lawsuit(s). @CBS6 pic.twitter.com/Tqtx9IBjpB
— Shannon Lilly CBS 6 (@ShannonLillyTV) June 17, 2020
Protesters have been gathering at the monument every day.
While most of the protests have been peaceful in nature, there have been incidents of violence and arrests made surrounding incidents at the monument.
