Virginia Lawmakers Vote to Undo Protections for Confederate Monuments

The Virginia state House and Senate, which are both controlled by Democrats, have voted to pass legislation that would undo existing protections for Confederate monuments, The Associated Press reports.

According to the news service, the legislation passed by both chambers over the weekend would roll back a longstanding law in the state that blocks the removal of public war memorials. The law has served as a roadblock for lawmakers who have sought to take down Confederate monuments in their communities since before the deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017.

Republican lawmakers were able to strike down similar legislation seeking to circumvent the state law in recent years.

However, with Democrats currently holding the majority in both the state House and Senate, the bill was able to pass through the Virginia General Assembly and now heads to Gov. Ralph Northam (D) for his consideration.

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