Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on May 25 in Minneapolis. While being arrested, Floyd was held down by a Minneapolis police officer's knee for more than eight minutes. He was pronounced dead shortly after. His death, which was captured on video, sparked widespread protests across the US, with people calling for an end to police brutality against people of color. Controversial monuments, especially Confederate monuments, have been the subject of nationwide debate, particularly since Dylann Roof killed nine African Americans in a Charleston, South Carolina, church in 2015 in an effort to "start a race war."And it flared up again after white nationalists marched in 2017 to protest the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a counterprotester was killed amid violent clashes between demonstrators.Some say they mark history and honor heritage. Others argue they are racist symbols of America's dark legacy of slavery. While some cities have already made efforts to remove them, others have passed laws to protect them.Here's a look at some of the monuments that have been removed over the last few weeks.
Richmond, Virginia
A crowd of protesters in Richmond brought down the statue of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, on Wednesday night, according to CNN affiliate WRIC."Jefferson Davis was a racist & traitor who fled our city as his troops carried out orders to burn it to the ground," Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said in a tweet Thursday morning. "He never deserved to be up on that pedestal. July 1, we will begin the process the state requires to remove these monuments to the Old Richmond of a Lost Cause."He asked for the sake of public safety that the community allow the city to legally take down the remaining statues professionally. "I will push for us to waste no time on this and to make it happen as soon as possible," Stoney said in his tweet. "Richmond, we will finish the job of removing these antiquated symbols of racism and hate." This comes a day after protesters vandalized and tore down a statue of Christoper Columbus using ropes at Byrd Park.
Louisville, Kentucky
The John Breckenridge Castleman monument, a statue of a Confederate soldier in the heart of downtown, was removed Monday, according to an online statement from Mayor Greg Fischer.Fischer initially announced plans to remove the Castleman monument in August 2018. After a two-year effort to move the statue, a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge said Friday that the city was able to move the Castleman monument."We all agree with the report's finding that our city must not maintain statues that serve as validating symbols for racist or bigoted ideology — that's why we relocated the Confederate statue near the University of Louisville," Fischer said in 2016.In announcing his decision to move the Castleman statue and another Confederate soldier statue in 2018, Fischer rejected the idea that moving them was an effort to erase history. "Moving these statues," he said, "allows us to examine our history in a new context that more accurately reflects the reality of the day, a time when the moral deprivation of slavery is clear."The statue will eventually make its way to Cave Hill Cemetery, where Castleman is buried, according to the online statement.
Jacksonville, Florida
Crews in Hemming Park in downtown Jacksonville on Tuesday morning took down a 122-year-old statue and plaque that honored fallen Confederate soldiers, according to CNN affiliate WJAX.On Friday, the Jacksonville Jaguars marched from TIAA Bank Field to the sheriff's office, where wide receiver Chris Conley made a seven minute speech in which he talked about the removal of the monument.During a peaceful protest Tuesday on the steps of City Hall, Mayor Lenny Curry announced that all Confederate monuments citywide will be removed. This includes three monuments and eight historical markers, the mayor's office told CNN in a statement."If our history prevents us from reaching the full potential of our future, then we need to take action," Curry said. "My staff will work with the Jacksonville Cultural Council to convene experts in history and art to ensure we acknowledge our past in a full and complete way; a way forward that leaves no person's heritage or experience behind."
Birmingham, Alabama
Demonstrators at Linn Park attempted to remove a 115-year-old monument during a protest on May 31.Mayor Randall Woodfin arrived at the scene, telling the demonstrators he would "finish the job" for them.The city's mayor pleaded with demonstrators to disperse before police came to make arrests, adding that he understood their anger.The park houses memorials dedicated to veterans and a statue of Confederate sailor Charles Linn.
Woodfin did not specify when exactly the monument would come down."In order to prevent more civil unrest in our city, I think it is very imperative that we remove this statue that's in Linn Park," he said at a news conference June 1.About 54 miles west at the University of Alabama, The Board of Trustees and the university's president authorized the removal of three plaques on the campus that commemorate University of Alabama students who served in the Confederate army and members of the student cadet corps involved in defending the campus, according to an online statement.
The plaques were in front of Gorgas Library but were removed and "placed at a more appropriate historical setting on the recommendation of Dr. Bell," a university spokesperson told CNN.Additionally, a group of the university's trustees are set to to review and study the names of buildings on all UA System campuses.
Montgomery, Alabama
About 90 miles south of Birmingham, demonstrators tore down a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee that stood in front of Lee High School in Montgomery on June 1, according to CNN affiliate WSFA. Montgomery police told WSFA that four people have been charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a felony.The 112-year-old statue was housed in two other locations in Montgomery before coming to the grounds of Lee High School, according to the school's website. 
It was taken off school property and hauled away to storage, according to WSFA.
Nashville, Tennessee
A controversial statue of Edward Carmack, a former US senator and newspaper owner known for attacking civil rights advocates like Ida B. Wells, was carried away from the city's Capitol grounds on Monday, according to CNN affiliate WKRN.The removal came after demonstrators tore the monument down on Sunday.
Alexandria, Virginia
Crews in historic Old Town Alexandria removed a bronze statue of a Confederate soldier named "Appomattox" last Tuesday morning.The memorial was erected in 1889 to honor ConfederaRead More – Source
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