By Julie Barker, Reporter
NEW ORLEANS – Workers in New Orleans successfully dismantled the city’s Jefferson Davis monument early Thursday, marking a significant step forward in the city’s ongoing efforts to eradicate Confederate symbols. The statue, which had stood for more than 100 years, was removed without incident, with workers using cranes and other heavy machinery to carefully dismantle the structure.
The monument, located in the city’s Lee Circle, was erected in 1911 to honor Jefferson Davis, the first and only President of the Confederate States of America. However, in recent years, the statue has become a source of controversy, with many arguing that it represents a painful reminder of the city’s history of slavery and racism.
The decision to remove the monument was made in 2015 by the New Orleans City Council, following a wave of protests and calls for the statue’s removal. Since then, the city has worked closely with local historians and preservationists to ensure that the monument is removed in a responsible and respectful manner.
“This is a major milestone in our efforts to confront and overcome our city’s troubled history,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in a statement. “The removal of this statue is a significant step towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all New Orleanians.”
The statue will be stored in a secure location until a final decision is made on its fate, with some calling for the statue to be placed in a museum or other educational setting, while others argue that it should be destroyed.
The removal of the Jefferson Davis monument is the latest in a series of efforts to remove Confederate symbols from public spaces in New Orleans, following the removal of several other statues and monuments in recent years. The city’s efforts have been praised by many as a necessary step towards healing and reconciliation, while others have criticized them as an attack on Confederate heritage.
Regardless of one’s perspective on the issue, it is clear that the removal of the Jefferson Davis monument is a significant moment in New Orleans’ history, and marks a major step forward in the city’s ongoing efforts to confront and overcome its troubled past.