Officers from the Charlottesville Police Department responded to a report of vandalism to the Stonewall Jackson statue in Court Square Park at 8 a.m. Monday, according to Charlottesville Police Public Information Officer Tyler Hawn. The noses and hands of the allegorical figures on the base of the statue appear to have been chipped away.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered physical damage and paper signs covering the posted “No Trespassing” signs,” Hawn said.
Hours later, the CPD responded to reports of similar vandalism to the Robert E. Lee statue in Market Street Park. The CPD’s Investigations Bureau is currently investigating both vandalism cases, Hawn said.
The Lee and Jackson statues were vandalized less than one month ago, following State Judge Richard Moore’s ruling granting a permanent injunction against removing the Confederate statues. Both statues were found marked with “1619” in black spray paint. 1619 is in reference to the first year slave ships were brought from Africa to North America.
The City of Charlottesville is appealing their defeated lawsuit to have the statues removed. The first hearing is scheduled for this Tuesday.