WASHINGTON (AP) – Protesters tried to pull down a statue of President Andrew Jackson near the White House last night before being dispersed by police.
WUSA-TV in Washington reported police used pepper spray to move protesters out of Lafayette Square, where the Jackson statue is located.
Videos posted on social media showed that the protesters had climbed on the statue and tied ropes around it, then tried to pull it off its pedestal.
Meantime, President Trump tweeted late Monday that “Numerous people” had been arrested for “the disgraceful vandalism.” He added: “10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!”
On June 1, law enforcement officers forcefully cleared peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square so Trump could stage a photo op at a nearby church.
Numerous people arrested in D.C. for the disgraceful vandalism, in Lafayette Park, of the magnificent Statue of Andrew Jackson, in addition to the exterior defacing of St. John’s Church across the street. 10 years in prison under the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act. Beware!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020
In a tweet before 6AM Tuesday (today), Trump wrote, “I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent…”
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt was at the scene Monday night, and issued a statement saying: “Let me be clear: we will not bow to anarchists. Law and order will prevail, and justice will be served.”
HAPPENING NOW: Protesters attempting to tear down Andrew Jackson Statue in the center of Lafayette Park. pic.twitter.com/Tq9SSYtwV1
— Sean Langille (@SeanLangille) June 23, 2020
The statue shows Jackson in a military uniform, riding a horse that is rearing on its hind legs. The 19th century president’s ruthless treatment of Native Americans has made his statue a target of demonstrators protesting the United States’ legacy of racial injustice.
They ARE tear gassing people again in Lafayette Park!
WTF!!#dcprotest #DC
pic.twitter.com/CQjozZKeHm— Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) June 23, 2020
“The Indian Removal Act was signed into law on May 28, 1830, by United States President Andrew Jackson. The law authorized the president to negotiate with southern Native American tribes for their removal to federal territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for white settlement of their ancestral lands.” ~ wikipedia
The Jackson statue remains.
(Copyright 2020 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material Wikipedia)
