Photos: Crews Remove Gen. Robert E. Lee Statue In Richmond

RICHMOND, VA — After a year of controversy, a court battle ended with the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee finally being removed from its pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond, the former capital of the confederacy during the Civil War.

The statue was a centerpiece of the Black Lives Matter movement last summer, during which Gov. Ralph Northam ordered the statue to come down. His order was complicated by a legal battle, which cleared just last week by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

“This was a long time coming, part of the healing process so Virginia can move forward and be a welcoming state with inclusiveness and diversity,” said Northam.

The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is bathed in the late sun on Monument Avenue in Richmond on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. The statue was removed by the state on Wednesday, Sept.8, after a ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court.

Crews work to remove one of the country's largest remaining monuments to the Confederacy, a towering statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, in Richmond.

The public watches crews work to remove a towering statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue.

Crews work to remove the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond.

Crowds gathered to watch crews take down the Gen. Robert E. Lee statue.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam looks on as workers remove one of the country's largest remaining monuments to the Confederacy, a towering statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue, Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Richmond.

Crews work to remove the towering statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue, Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Richmond.

“This is a historic moment for the city of Richmond. The city, the community at large is saying that we’re not going to stand for these symbols of hate in our city anymore,” said Rachel Smucker, 28, a resident of Richmond who was at the viewing site early Wednesday with her sister.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.