AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A statue of Jefferson Davis has been removed from its place on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin after a failed appeal by a Confederate heritage group.
In this May 5, 2015 photo, a statue of Jefferson Davis is seen on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. Bill Powers won't be the University of Texas at Austin president who decides whether to keep a statue of Jefferson Davis, a tribute to the president of the Confederacy, on campus. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)
Crews could be seen Sunday morning removing the statue of the Confederate president from its place near the university's iconic clock tower.
University President Greg Fenves recently said the statue would be moved to a museum.
HAPPENING NOW: Crews at UT prepping to take down #JeffersonDavis statue from Main Mall @TWCNewsAustin pic.twitter.com/jVRj13DOUO
— Alex Stockwell (@alexrstockwell) August 30, 2015The statue has been a target of vandalism as well as criticism that it is a symbol of racism and discrimination. Confederate symbols nationwide are being re-considered following the recent mass shooting of members of a black church in Charleston, South Carolina.
A judge last week ruled against the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which sued to stop the university from moving it.
Appeals court denies request to keep UT statues in place - so Sons of Confederate Veterans look to TX Supreme Court https://t.co/utQdxMkvll
— Austin Statesman (@statesman) August 28, 2015Kirk Lyons, the attorney representing the Sons of Confederate Veterans, was seen on the campus protesting the statue's removal.
Kirk Lyons - attorney for the Sons of Confederate Veterans - speaking out against #JeffersonDavis statue removal pic.twitter.com/XbgVrVsNzN
— Alex Stockwell (@alexrstockwell) August 30, 2015
