Charlottesville Judge: Remove Tarps Covering Confederate Statues

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Tarps covering statues of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson in Charlottesville must be taken down, a judge has ruled. The ruling was made by Judge Richard Moore during a circuit court hearing on Tuesday, the city said in a release.

The tarps had been put up following the deadly violence that erupted during a white nationalist rally in August that resulted in the deaths of a counter-protester and two state troopers. A car plowed into a crowd of people, killing Heather Heyer and injuring many others.

The city installed the tarps as a sign of mourning, but didn't specify when they would come down. That question was answered on Tuesday.

The tarps have to be taken down within 15 days from a court order, the judge said, which media outlets reported could come within a couple days.

Moore said the tarps on both statues violate a state law that protects war monuments from being removed or disturbed, the Daily Progress reported.

The city said in a statement it was disappointed by the ruling, but would abide by it.

"From the beginning the City Council’s intention for the shrouds was to mourn the loss of life and the severe injuries that members of our community suffered on August 12th," officials said. "In part, the judge's ruling is based upon his opinion that the shrouds were not temporary in nature."

The city also said it looked forward to redesigning its parks to "promote a more complete history" of the community. A spokesperson for the city told WVIR-TV they don't yet have plans to appeal.

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