1:24
- ABC News
- June 25, 2020
DC delegate calls for removal of Lincoln statue
The D.C. National Guard is on standby to help protect monuments from protesters.
1:24
She notes that Frederick Douglass, in his keynote address at the statue's unveiling, also expressed his displeasure.
Holmes Norton also has called for the removal of the Jackson statue from Lafayette Park -- a replica of which Trump has placed behind his desk in the Oval Office -- after protesters failed to take it down Monday night.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/jackson-statue-01-as-gty-200623_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
\"This prominent location in the nation's capital, right outside of the White House, should never have honored a man who owned slaves and was responsible for the deaths of roughly 4,000 Native Americans,\" she said in a statement. \"Jackson's entire tenure is a shameful part of our history, and I will see to it that he is no longer honored with a statue in Lafayette Park.\"
President Trump, who has called himself a \"fan\" of Jackson, responded to the protests by threatening jail time via Twitter. Additional fencing and barricades were placed in Lafayette Park the following morning.
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
Trump has ramped up his rhetoric against what he calls \"vandals, hoodlums, anarchists and agitators\" attacking statues.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/white-house-jackson-security-gty-rc-200625_1593108086662_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
He scolded states Wednesday evening for allowing \"roving gangs of wise guys, anarchists & looters\" to remove statues, saying \"all represent our History & Heritage, both the good and the bad.\"
....the good and the bad. It is important for us to understand and remember, even in turbulent and difficult times, and learn from them. Knowledge comes from the most unusual of places!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2020
While Trump and Holmes Norton disagree over what happens to the statues, a clash between protesters and police could come soon.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/norton-2-ap-er-200625_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
At least one group called \"The Freedom Neighborhood\" has made plans to return to Lincoln Park Friday night and attempt to remove the statue, after a Tuesday night protest where they argued the government has dismissed calls for its removal for years.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/emancipation-memorial-lincoln-sh-rc-200625_1593106414515_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
\"This statue right here embodies the white supremacy and the disempowerment of black people that is forced upon us by white people. That is why we are tearing this statue down,\" said 20-year-old organizer Glenn Foster on Tuesday, before the group vowed to return Friday at 7 p.m.
Trump hasn't directly responded yet to calls to remove the Emancipation Memorial just miles from the White House, but he's certainly aware of the protests in the District.
After a statue of Confederate Gen. Albert Pike was torn down and burned by protesters on Juneteenth outside D.C. police headquarters, Trump reportedly instructed Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to put it back up, according to NBC News.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/albert-pike-statue-sh-rc-200625_1593106287699_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
\"It is the intent of the National Park Service to mitigate any damage to any statue, monument, or memorial damaged due to any criminal activity,\" Alexandra Picavet, acting chief spokesperson, said in a statement to ABC News Thursday.
The White House late Wednesday declined to comment, but it appears Trump and Bernhardt are on the same page.
Following Monday's protests and attempts to remove the Jackson statue, Bernhardt -- who runs the agency charged with protecting public lands -- issued a statement condemning the scene.
\"I just left Lafayette Square where another so-called \"peaceful protest\" led to destruction tonight. Let me be clear: we will not bow to anarchists,\" the statement released Tuesday read. \"Law and order will prevail, and justice will be served.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/national-guard-lincoln-memorial-1-abc-200602_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Officials say the D.C. National Guard remains on standby, if needed, to protect the statues.
ABC News' John Parkinson, Stephanie Ebbs and Ben Gittleson contributed to this report.
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