Charlottesville to cover Confederate statues in black fabric to mourn Heather Heyer

The first council meeting since Heather Heyer's death was marred by protests as residents screamed at councillors
Protesters near the near the statue of Confederate general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, which will be covered in black fabric
REUTERS
Jonathan Mitchell22 August 2017

Statues of Confederate generals in Charlottesville will be covered in black fabric to mourn the death of a Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car was driven at crowds protesting a white nationalist rally.

The local council unanimously voted on Monday to cover the controversial statues of Robert E Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson as a symbol of mourning for the 32-year-old.

Ms Heyer was killed when a car rammed into a group of people protesting a white nationalist rally in the city on Saturday, August 12.

It comes amid a growing row about removing statues of Confederate soldiers in the United States.

The first council meeting since the tragedy was marred by protests
AP

President Donald Trump condemned the removal of the “beautiful” statues, despite their connotations with the wretched history of slavery and racism in the US.

On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence told NBC that state and local authorities should make decisions about Confederate statues, calling himself "someone who believes in more monuments, not less."

The rally during which Ms Heyer was killed was sparked by Charlottesville’s decision to remove a statue of Confederate commander Robert Lee.

The Daily Progress reported anger boiled over at the first city council meeting since the rally, with some residents screaming and cursing at councillors.

Heather Heyer was killed at a white nationalist rally

Members of the Charlottesville city council unanimously voted to cover the statues.

A police spokesman said three people were arrested and released on summons for disorderly conduct.

Authorities in cities such as Baltimore and Austin, in Texas, have already acted to remove statues of Confederate generals and soldiers.

Mr Trump has come under fire for his response to the death of Ms Heyer, having failied to explicitly condemn the role of white supremacists for violence at the rally.

Speaking in New York days later, he sparked fresh outrage as he blamed both anti-racism supporters and white supremacists for the violence in Virginia, claiming the “alt left” charged at protesters.

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