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Monument Avenue resident: ‘It couldn’t have turned out better’

Posted at 9:29 PM, Sep 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-17 22:13:55-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Yellow tape and green gates still circled the statue to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee  along Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue as VCU student Ann Sheehy walked home from a study break Sunday afternoon.

Sheehy said her mother urged her to avoid the unpermitted rallies near the Lee monument Saturday, but like many Richmonders, she followed what happened from home.

“Knowing there were more anti-protesters than protesters to keep the monuments, it's a good thing... that there is such a big crowd of those people in Richmond,” she said.

Though there were moments of tension and spirited debate, Richmond police only made seven arrests. And of those arrested, only two of those people live in or near Richmond.

Jackie Jackson and Joe Yates live on Monument near the Lee statue.

Yates said he gives the local police and state officials a round of applause for how things played out.

"Everyone was a little on edge because no one really knew what was going to happen after Charlottesville, and it couldn't have turned out better as far as I'm concerned,” Yates said.

Jackie Jackson and Joe Yates

Jackie Jackson and Joe Yates

Although police said they continue to patrol near the monuments, operations have returned to normal.

For Jackie Jackson, what she saw play out in front of her home felt productive for conversations moving forward.

"Yesterday gave me, truthfully, more hope that there actually will be productive conversations and that something will come of compromise,” Jackson said.

Richmond Police Chief:  'It was an A+ effort'

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