Protesters try to pull down statue of ‘Trail of Tears’ president Andrew Jackson near White House

High horse: ropes being attached to the statue of former president Andrew Jackson
Getty Images
Michael Howie23 June 2020

Police clashed with anti-racism protesters who tried to pull down a statue of former president Andrew Jackson outside the White House.

Officers used pepper spray to move them out of Washington’s Lafayette Square, where the statue is located, WUSA-TV reported.

Videos posted on social media showed that the protesters had tied ropes around the monument, before trying to pull it from its plinth.

The incident began at around dusk when scores of activists, most wearing masks against coronavirus infection, broke through a 6ft fence that had been erected in recent days to protect it.

Demonstrators scrawled “killer scum” on the pedestal of the statue of Jackson, depicted in military uniform.

Native American activists have long criticised Jackson for signing the 1830 Indian Removal Act, which led to thousands being driven from their lands by the US government and forced to march west, in what became known as the Trail of Tears.

Donald Trump tweeted today that “numerous people” had been arrested for “the disgraceful vandalism”. He added: “10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!”

Protesters clashing with police
Getty Images

US interior secretary David Bernhardt said in a statement: “Let me be clear: We will not bow to anarchists. Law and order will prevail, and justice will be served.”

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