Via Susan
The Virginia Flaggers were saddened, but not surprised to learn of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring's "hail Mary" announcement that he thinks Virginia's monuments and memorials protection law does not, in fact, protect all Confederate monuments and memorials from removal.
http://www.nbc12.com/story/36219499/ag-herring-issues-opinion-saying-localities-can-remove-relocate-war-statues
The timing of his announcement is not coincidental. Since Governor McAuliffe did an about face on his previous and numerous promises to protect all war memorials, chose to exploit the tragedy in Charlottesville for political gain, and called for their removal across the Commonwealth, the political backlash has been swift and severe. In poll after poll, conducted after the rioting in Charlottesville earlier this month, citizens overwhelmingly voiced their beliefs that monuments should remain and not be removed or destroyed. The outrage in watching memorial stones dragged out of cemeteries and off of pedestals at county courthouses, all in the name of political correctness and to appease howling and violent mobs, has led to a massive backlash as angry citizens call for swift action to prevent the destruction of America's history and heritage.
Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie finally found an issue to excite his base. His announcement that he would protect our monuments has boosted his support and his numbers in the polls as undecided voters get behind him to save our monuments. The Republican controlled General Assembly is not likely to do anything to change the existing law, something that has McAuliffe and other Democrats grasping at straws to find a way to implement their monument destruction plans.
We are confident that the citizens of Virginia will see this announcement for exactly what it is: Political Grandstanding at its worst. His opinion, which is all this is, mirrors that of his political party and is not grounded in law nor binding in any court of law. The law is clear and needs no partisan interpretation. We are confident that we will have victory in court next week in regards to the Charlottesville LEE Monument, and that the issue of monument protection in Virginia will be settled and put to rest once and for all.
We are prepared to fight for each and every monument and memorial, and the memory and honor of every soldier they represent.
Earlier this week, Charlottesville City Council carried out their plans to cover the Lee and Jackson monuments in black tarp, claiming they were shrouding the monuments as a symbol of mourning. The citizens aren't buying it. No one mourns their dead by covering monuments with a tarp. City Council seems bound and determined to continue to divide and inflame tensions in the community.
This was done in direct violation of state law and against the will of the overwhelming majority of citizens
Haphazardly secured, it looks like it would not take much wind to unveil them, and we understand folks are lining up to volunteer to help facilitate Mother Nature.
Defacing a monument in Virginia is a misdemeanor offense. We feel certain City Council failed to mention that to the men who did their dirty work.
In the meantime, the monuments are actually protected from vandals and we can look forward to the grand re-unveiling soon.
#KeepTheStatues #RemoveCityCouncil
This made our day! Overnight Thursday, someone cut down part of the tarp placed over the Lee Monument in Lee Park. This was the second attempt by patriots to remove the tarps, which were placed in violation of Virginia state law. We doubt it will be the last...
VA RESIDENTS! URGENT CALL TO ACTION
Governor McAuliffe has threatened to call a special session of the General Assembly for the purpose of getting legislative permission to remove the magnificent Robert E Lee monument on Richmond's Monument Avenue. Democratic legislators have promised to introduce legislation to repeal our monument protection law, and several localities have expressed the intention to ask for special permission to move or remove their monuments. Regardless of the decision in Charlottesville next week, our real fight will be in the legislature, and it's one we can win. ACT NOW. Call and email your delegate and state senator. Tell them you want them to vote no on any blill that would allow for monument removal, and to help sponsor and suppport any legislation that strengthens existing laws. Tell them that monument protection is a top priority in the coming election. Phone calls are most effective. Call often and let your voice be heard. Use this tool to find your legislator:
https://www.virginia.gov/services/whos-my-legislator/Please act now and call early and often, right up to Election Day this fall, and share this information far and wide.