WASHINGTON (AP/WTVF) — Protesters tried to pull down a statue of President Andrew Jackson near the White House Monday 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.
The 19th century president’s 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.
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweeted the following about the removal attempt:
Tonight I’m watching the failed attempt of rioters to tear down Andrew Jackson’s statue. Jackson served as our 7th President and was a proud Tennessean. These actions are sickening. @MayorBowser @realDonaldTrump
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) June 23, 2020
