Rockville Confederate Statue Boxed Up To Prevent Vandalism

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Montgomery County has erected a wooden box around a Confederate monument recently spray-painted with the words "Black Lives Matter," in hopes of shielding the statue from further vandalism.

The Washington Post reports that officials are seeking to move the 102-year-old bronze statue of a Confederate soldier out of downtown Rockville.
County workers put up the barrier Friday, about a week after the words appeared across the base of the statue.

Because the monument has been granted historic status by the city of Rockville, it can be moved only with the permission of the Rockville Historic District Commission. The commission is scheduled on

Sept. 17 to consider the county's application for removal. Officials have not said where the statue would be moved if the application is approved.

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