Jefferson statue at UVA covered during protests

On Tuesday night protesters gathered at the University of Virginia (UVA) in reaction to what had gone on in Charlottesville last month. However, their actions have caused a mixed reaction due to what they did to a statue of Thomas Jefferson.

Who were these protesters and what were they protesting?

The dozens of protesters, estimated to number around 100 people, gathered on Tuesday night. They were there to protest the university's response to the white nationalist rallies that took when they marched through UVA holding tiki torches. The next day that culminated in clashes with counter-protesters in Charlottesville where the school is located and ended with a horrific car attack.

The “Daily Progress” reported that the protesters covered up Jefferson's statue and held up “Black Lives Matters” signs, as well as ones that called him a “racist” and a “rapist.” Jefferson, whose statue stands in front of the school's rotunda that he personally designed, founded the school and of course, was the third President of the United States.

The protesters were calling on the school to meet the demands issued by the Black Student Alliance following those white national rallies. These demands include the removal of all the Confederate plaques on the Rotunda and adding context to Jefferson's statue. One person was arrested at the protest for public intoxication and the shroud has since been taken down.

Reaction from UVA's president

The President of the University of Virgina, Teresa Sullivan, reacted by sending separate statements on the protest and shrouding of Jefferson's statue to the students and facility at the university, as well as to alumni. Yesterday Sullivan said that she vehemently disagreed with the protestors decision to cover up the statue, although she noted their right to freely protest.

She wrote in her statement that they were “desecrating” ground that a majority of people thought of as “sacred” by putting up the black shroud. She also discussed how Jefferson himself was a big believer in the right to freedom of expression. Sullivan went on to mention how she believes that the school is at another key point in regards to protest and debating issues, much like during the Vietnam War, Watergate or 9/11.

Currently, an outside firm, as well as a group of leaders at the school, have been reviewing the university's response to the white nationalist rallies last month.