The mayor of Lexington says after the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, he is taking the steps to remove two Confederate-era statues from the lawn of a former courthouse.
On Twitter Saturday, following deadly clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, Mayor Jim Gray said he will ask the Lexington-Fayette County Urban County Council at its Tuesday work session to ask a state military commission for permission to take down the statues of John Hunt Morgan and John C. Breckinridge.
Today's events in Virginia remind us that we must bring our country together by condemning violence, white supremacists and Nazi hate groups
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017
We cannot let them define our future.
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017
I am taking action to relocate the Confederate statues. We have thoroughly examined this issue, and heard from many of our citizens.
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017
The tragic events in Charlottesville today have accelerated the announcement I intended to make next week.
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017
Tuesday I will ask Council to support Lexington’s petition to the Ky Military Heritage Commission, a required next step. Details to come.
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017
Lexington's Confederate statues of Breckinridge & Hunt Morgan located at our Historic Courthouse, which will soon be our new visitors center
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017
Violent clashes occurred Saturday between white nationalists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville. Three people were killed, including a woman who died after a driver plowed into a group of peaceful marchers. Dozens more were injured.
The nationalists had gathered to protest the city's plans to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.