RICHMOND, Va. -- The ACLU of Virginia claims thefencing around the Lee Monumentin Richmond is unconstitutional, and has called for its removal.
The group said they sent a letter to Director of the Department of General Services Joe Damico the state the monument is a"traditional public forum" and access is protected by the First Amendment.
Right now the site is inaccessible because an eight foot fence was installed to prepare for the statue's removal, but no date has been set as the state is waiting on the outcome of pending lawsuits.
The ACLU said the fencing should be removed until the statue's removal is imminent.
The Department of General Services said the fencing is not intended to be permanent, and they want to be prepared to act quickly in the event they get permission to take down the statue.
BREAKING: We're calling for the removal of the fencing around the reclaimed Marcus-David Peters Circle.
— ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) February 16, 2021
The Lee Monument is not going away any time soon. Fencing off this public forum unnecessarily infringes on our First Amendment rights while these legal battles play out.
