A Virginia judge’s ruling to temporarily block the removal of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond’s Monument Avenue has sparked a strong response on social media. On Monday, Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley B. Cavedo issued a 10-day injunction halting Gov. Ralph Northam’s order to remove the controversial statute from its 130-year-old residence. In the order, Cavedo said Northam’s directive was in violation of an 1890 deed stating the state promised to “faithfully guard” and “affectionately protect” it the statue.
Northam, who had ordered the statue to be removed amid growing protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd, has vowed to continue his efforts to see the 14-foot statue removed. In a statement to The Progress-Index, press secretary Alena Yarmosky said the governor “remains committed to removing this divisive symbol from Virginia’s capital city, and we’re confident in his authority to do so,” according to USA Today.
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As news of Cavedo’s order spread, it sparked outrage. On social media, some claimed the judge’s decision was racist and others called for Cavedo to be fired. Keep scrolling to see the controversy surrounding the Monday order.
They are going to hang onto their participation trophies until the bitter end.
— Liam (peaceful non compliant citizen)🎸🎮 (@Poliscisamurai) June 9, 2020
racist judge
— Timer 【🇺🇸】 (@xtraTimer) June 9, 2020
Well it looks like someone needs to be removed from his job….
— your mom (@sageoncer) June 9, 2020
Racism is what that Statue is representing..
— Ron Keating (@RonKeating5) June 9, 2020
A racist* judge. Fixed it.
— Accountability (@socialdistancc) June 9, 2020
Ever wonder why there are no statues of Hitler, Gerbils, etc., in Germany? It’s really the same as statues to Lee, Jackson, etc. So why not?
— ShooterMcB (@BMichaelBradley) June 9, 2020
This is like debating to remove a statue of Hitler in Berlin. STUPID, get rid of it. I’m sure enterprising lads will take care of business.
— BCReality (@BCReality) June 9, 2020
New plan: remove the judge. #vote
— meriss (@listentomeriss) June 9, 2020
hm…. i wonder what might happen next?
— ✊ nate (@nateszyman) June 9, 2020
Oh FFS, they are upholding a “promise” from 1890 to “faithfully guard” and “affectionately protect” the statue.
— HelenHighly (@Helen_Highly) June 9, 2020
Anyone mentioning the actual law requiring that the state faithfully guard and protect real people (as the police systematically attack and abuse them)?
why do we celebrate traitors? move it to a museum
— jack bauer (@skiwildcat7) June 9, 2020
pretty sure museums “faithfully guard” and “affectionately protect” all the time…
— catswhatsup *BLM (@vastroot) June 9, 2020
Just remove it. Should have been done a long time ago!!!!!
— Randall Hoppmann (@RHoppmann) June 9, 2020
If only those people cared about Black lives as much as they care about statues of dead, white, traitorous men.
— Andy Rindlisbach (@CapnAndor) June 9, 2020
