Donors erase school symbol of confederacy

Row over how the US remembers its civil war in new twist as donors pay schools to remove symbols of confederate generals.

The statue of Robert E. Lee the removal of which sparked a violent protest by white nationalists. Picture: Getty Images.

A row over how America remembers its bloodiest conflict has taken a new twist as anonymous donors pay to remove monuments to the generals who fought to sustain slavery in the Civil War.

Three schools in Virginia dropped the names of Confederate States Army leaders last week after a donor gave $20,000 to cover costs. AP Hill, Robert E Lee and JEB Stuart will now be known as Cool Springs, Lakemont and Pleasants Lane respectively.

Far-right groups are planning to repeat a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which last year culminated in the death of Heather Heyer, 32. She was a counterprotester against neo-Nazis demonstrating about plans to remove a statue of Lee and was killed when a car rammed into the crowds. A suspected white supremacist is awaiting trial charged with her murder.

President Trump was condemned for saying there were “very fine people” on both sides. He has since said that such statues are part of America’s “great heritage”.

At Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, dollars 1.2 million was raised to repay a 1933 gift from the United Daughters of the Confederacy, after a court ruled that repayment was necessary to remove the word “Confederate” from a building.

Anonymous donors gave $144,000 to remove four statues in New Orleans, Louisiana. “Their presence was meant to perpetuate a false history,” an official said.

The Times