In Charlottesville, Virginia, the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee will be melted down and turned into a piece of public art.

The new piece of artwork will be created by the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

In addition to the Lee statue, a statue of confederate Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was removed the same day in July 2021.

Racial justice activists made a request for the removal of the Lee statue over five years ago. The activist did not receive the results they wanted which resulted in protests in 2017.

Original post by Associated Press

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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/charlottesvilles-robert-e-lee-statue-melted-new-art-rcna7975