White House Fencing Removed
WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesters tried to pull down a statue of President Andrew Jackson near the White House last night before being dispersed by police.
WUSA-TV in Washington reports that police used pepper spray to move protesters out of Lafayette Square, where the Jackson statue is located. Videos posted on social media show that the protesters climbed on the statue and tied ropes around it, then tried to pull it off its pedestal.
LATEST — DC POLICE Moving protesters away from Andrew Jackson Statue in front of the White House… Statue STILL stands…
Lafayette Square is being cleared @WUSA9 #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/aIs80aDGn9— Mike Valerio (@ValerioCNN) June 23, 2020
The 19th century president’s ruthless treatment of Native Americans has made his statue a target of demonstrators protesting the United States’ legacy of racial injustice. The Jackson statue remains on its pedestal.
President Donald Trump says he’ll issue an executive order to protect monuments that are coming under new scrutiny. Trump opposes the removal of monuments of leaders of the Confederacy or other distasteful aspects of American history. Trump tweeted that such protesters could face 10 years in prison under federal law.
I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
…..This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
Trump said Tuesday an executive order will just “reinforce” the law.
