USA: Richmond statue of Confederate gen. Stonewall Jackson removed

Richmond activists sang and cheered as they watched the statue of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson being removed by authorities on Wednesday. Mayor of Richmond, Virginia, Levar Stoney had announced an executive order to have all Confederate statues immediately removed.

The large crowd that braved the heavy rain to celebrate the removal of the statue could be seen watching the process. One man arrived at the scene attempting to protect the statue while holding a flag reading: "Respect, protect, and save our Confederate monuments." As police escorted him away, the flag was taken by the demonstrators before being set on fire.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Leading the fight for the Confederates meant he was a firm believer in the opinion of the time that slavery was sanctioned by God. Demonstrators across the country have demanded the removal of such Confederate monuments, as they are seen as instruments of racial oppression.