US: New lawsuit opposes plans to remove Lee statue in Virginia

Six property owners along Monument Avenue in Virginia's capital city filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to stop Gov. Ralph rtham's ministration from removing a towering statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

rtham recently ordered statue's removal, citing pain gripping country over killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who pleed for air as a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck.

Floyd's death has sparked global protests that participants have vowed to turn into a sustained movement focused on dressing racial injustice and police brutality. It has also led to an intense re-examination of statues and monuments of historical figures around world.

lawsuit challenges rtham’s authority to order statue's removal from its prominent place in ex-capital of Confederacy, citing in part an 1889 resolution of General Assembly that authorized goverr of Virginia to accept statue.

plaintiffs also argue that removal of statue would result in loss of National Historic Landmark designation for a stretch of Monument Avenue, a prestigious residential boulevard, and refore " loss of favorable tax treatment and reduction in property values.”

It also said plaintiffs would suffer injury over “ loss of a priceless work of art from ir neighborhood and degration of internationally recognized avenue on which y reside.”

statue is one of five memorials to Confederacy along Monument Avenue, and only one on state property. Richmond City Council has expressed unanimous support for removing rest, which demonstrators have covered with graffiti in recent weeks.

“Goverr rtham is committed to removing this divisive symbol from Virginia’s capital city. We’re confident in his authority to do so, and look forward to winning in court,” his spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky, said in an email Monday.

A similar lawsuit was filed last week by William C. Gregory, a descendant of two signatories to deed transferring statue, its ermous pedestal and ground y sit on to state. That lawsuit argues that terms of deed prohibit ministration from removing it w.

A week ago, a judge issued a 10-day injunction in that case, temporarily preventing rtham’s ministration from removing statue. Court records show a hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

plaintiffs in lawsuit filed Monday are seeking to consolidate two cases, in part because y are seeking similar relief from court.

only plaintiff listed by name in new lawsuit is

or plaintiffs are seeking to participate anymously, saying in a motion that y face a risk of “retaliation by organized and violent groups” for participating in lawsuit.

Richmond's monuments have become a rallying point for protesters in recent weeks. Last week, demonstrators toppled a statue of Jefferson Davis, president of Confederacy, that was part of a much larger monument.