Trump defends "beautiful" statues glorifying pro-slavery Civil War leaders
US President Donald Trump has denounced the removal of "beautiful" statues belonging to leaders of the pro-slavery Confederate leaders from the American Civil War. His comments come amid a heated national debate on race relations in America. Trump had earlier attracted widespread outrage by defending the organizers of a violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one woman dead and injured dozens.
1 killed after car plows through counter-protesters in Charlottesville
On August 12, white nationalists held a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in protest against plans to remove a statue of US Civil War-era pro-slavery Confederate army commander Robert E. Lee. They were met by counter-protesters. Both sides carried sticks, shields and wore helmets while some white supremacists possessed firearms. Both sides clashed before a car plowed through the counter-protesters, killing one.
Trump backtracks, blames "both sides" over Charlottesville violence
On August 16, Trump said both left- and right-wing extremists are to be blamed for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one person dead and others injured. Trump's statement reignited a political firestorm, raising questions over leadership in the face of a national crisis. Earlier, Trump was criticized for not specifically condemning violence by the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.
Trump: 'Sad to see America's history and culture being ripped'
"Sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments," Trump tweeted. He said the statues of Confederate leaders Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson are now being removed. He asked would those of former Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both slave owners, be next?
Why does the removal of Confederate statues remain controversial
Critics say the monuments immortalize Confederate leaders who fought to ensure the enslavement of blacks, making them racially offensive. However, supporters of the monuments, contend that they are important symbols preserving the heritage of the US' Southern states.
Confederate leader Stonewall Jackson's descendants consent to statue's removal
Jack and Warren Christian, the great-great grandsons of Confederate leader Stonewall Jackson, have urged the mayor of Richmond, Virginia, to remove the statue of their great-great-grandfather and other Confederate leaders. They said they aren't ashamed of Stonewall Jackson but "are ashamed to benefit from white supremacy while our black family and friends suffer." "We are ashamed of the monument," they added.
Confederate leader Robert E Lee's descendant condemns white supremacists
Robert E Lee V, the great-great-grandson of the Confederate leader, has condemned the violence taking place in the wake of the statue's removal. He said his great-great-grandfather wouldn't "have tolerated the hateful words and violent actions of white supremacists, the KKK, or Neo Nazis."
