Across the state, monuments conveying symbols of the Confederacy still dot the landscape. While some have been removed in the years since George Floyd's death at the hands of Minnesota police, many still stand.
Visitors pray together at the Lee monument in Richmond, Va., on Sunday, July 5, 2020. Azaria Fleurima of Chester, one of prayers, said she prayed about "what God is doing in this world and we would like God bring us together with his love instead of all these hates, madness, bitterness and brokenness in this world."
Daniel Sangjib Min/RTD
Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue is shown in Richmond, Va., on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (A photo was taken by a drone)
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
The Robert E. Lee statue on Richmond's Monument Avenue is shown in a photo taken by drone in April.
Daniel Sangjib Min/Times-Dispatch
Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue is shown in Richmond, Va., on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (A photo was taken by a drone)
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Aerial photo of Robert E. Lee monument on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020.
Daniel Sangjib Min/RTD
Protesters gather at Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/RTD
Protesters march from Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/RTD
Protesters gather at Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/RTD
James Kelley of Richmond, left, and Domico Phillips of Henrico met each other at one of protests in Richmond. They have been building their friendship last few weeks as they attend protests. They were shown at Robert E. Lee monument in Richmond on Monday, June 29, 2020.
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/RTD
Visitors to the Robert E. Lee monument on Monument Avenue, after sunset.
JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
Visitors to the Robert E. Lee monument on Monument Avenue, after sunset.
JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
Visitors to the Robert E. Lee monument on Monument Avenue, after sunset.
JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
Visitors to the Robert E. Lee monument on Monument Avenue, after sunset.
JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
Aerial photo of Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Tuesday, July 11, 2020.
Daniel Sangjib Min/RTD
The Robert E. Lee statue photographed on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
The Robert E. Lee statue photographed on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
A woman looks through the fencing around the Robert E. Lee monument on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.
BOB BROWN
A star shines to the east of the Lee Statue Wed., Jan. 13, 2021.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATC
Signs posted by the Richmond City Police prohibit firearms at the Lee Monument.
JOE MAHONEY
A basketball and hoop rest in the circle around the graffiti-covered base of the Lee statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Monday, August 24, 2020.
BOB BROWN
Four Richmond Police Officers on bikes sat in the east median across from the Lee Monument on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Police presence seems to be stepped up after complaints from residents in the area about noise into the night and campsites with grills, etc set up on the four medians surrounding Lee Circle.
BOB BROWN
An image of George Floyd is projected onto a screen and onto the Lee Monument behind it Tuesday, July 28, 2020.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
Area musicians participated in a "violin vigil" for Elijah McClain, Tuesday 7/21/2020 at the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. McClain, was killed last August, by police officers in Aurora, Colorado, as the 23-year-old walked home from a convenience store.
JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
Marcus-David Peters is projected on to the Lee Monument Fri., July 17, 2020.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
People gather at the Lee Circle after marching from the Capitol during the Black Women Matter rally Friday, July 3, 2020.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
A person climbing on the Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, Va. gives thumbs up to their friend after taking a photo on their phone on June 24, 2020.
DEAN HOFFMEYER/TIMES-DISPATCH
The crescent moon shows below the statue of Robert E. Lee's horse "Traveller" in Richmond, Va. on June 24, 2020.
DEAN HOFFMEYER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Graffiti painted on the barrier surrounding the statue of Robert E. Lee on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Tuesday, June 23, 2020. The area, scene of many protests, is closed from sunset to sunrise.
BOB BROWN
Visitors to the Robert E. Lee monument on Monument Avenue, Sunday 6/21/2020. Isiah Robinson played the trombone along the new barrier wall surrounding the statue.
JAMES H, WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
During a candle light vigil at the Lee Monument on Friday June 19, 2020.
JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH
An image of Frederick Douglas is projected onto the Lee Monument Thursday night, June 18 2020.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
A video of Malcolm X is projected onto the Lee Monument Thursday night, June 18 2020.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
The graffiti-smeared statue of Robert E. Lee and Traveller stand behind a traffic sign with Marcus-David Peters Cir. on a hand-written sign below on the circle that surrounds the monument on Monument Ave. in Richmond, VA Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Peters was the man suffering a mental condition who was shot by a Richmond police officer several years ago.
BOB BROWN
Protesters at Lee monument on Monument Avenue, Tuesday 6/2/2020.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATC
The star Sirius moves behind the Lee Monument during a time exposure image taken on Sat., Jan. 16, 2021.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATC
Unveiling of the Lee Monument in Richmond, VA. May 29, 1890. CREDIT: Image Courtesy of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Image Courtesy of the Virginia M
The Richmond Police Department’s use of tear gas during a June 1, 2020, protest at the Robert E. Lee monument prompted a class action lawsuit.
2020, JAMES H. WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH
A state police tactical vehicle was surrounded by a cloud of tear gas at the Lee statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Monday.
