Stonewall Jackson ancestor relieved to see general’s Richmond, Va., statue torn down

Storm Gifford

It’s the end of an era in Richmond, and Stonewall Jackson’s great-great grandson is OK with that.

The living ancestor of the Confederate general was pleased to hear that a longstanding Jackson statue in the Virginia capital was finally coming down.

The bronze monument of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson” riding on his horse had towered over Richmond for over a century before its Wednesday dismantling.

“I’m very much cheering on from afar,” said Jackson’s great-great-grandson Jack Christian, a college professor living in Texas, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “I think removing racist imagery and symbols — whether it’s statues or a Confederate flag or school names — is a first step toward addressing a racist past and hopefully enacting a more just future.”

Christian also hopes that no funds will be earmarked to put Jackson’s historical place in context.

“I would be happy with (the statue) being locked away and not displayed anywhere,” he said. “I don’t think it can be a symbol for everybody.”

A cheering crowd of more than 1,000 spectators braved a lightning storm on Wednesday to watch construction workers remove the six-ton monument from its pedestal.

New York City Parks Department workers are seen cleaning the The Washington Square Arch at the park's northern gateway from red paint thrown by vandals using balloons overnight.
New York City Parks Department workers are seen cleaning the The Washington Square Arch at the park's northern gateway from red paint thrown by vandals using balloons overnight.
George Washington's statue facing Fifth Avenue also was damaged but was cleaned quickly, although red paint stains still can be seen on the monument.
George Washington's statue facing Fifth Avenue also was damaged but was cleaned quickly, although red paint stains still can be seen on the monument.
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A statute of Christopher Columbus was discovered vandalized with red paint in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, June 25, 2020. The San Antonio City Council has been considering moving the statue to another location.
A statute of Christopher Columbus was discovered vandalized with red paint in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, June 25, 2020. The San Antonio City Council has been considering moving the statue to another location.
A statue of Christopher Columbus is removed from Wooster Square Park in New Haven, Conn. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
A statue of Christopher Columbus is removed from Wooster Square Park in New Haven, Conn. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
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The statue of Christopher Columbus that stands in front of Union Station in Worcester, Mass. was vandalized early Tuesday morning on June 23, 2020.
The statue head and upper body of Christopher Columbus sits on the back of a flatbed trailer as a construction crew removes the statue from the main campus of Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, June 19, 2020.
The statue head and upper body of Christopher Columbus sits on the back of a flatbed trailer as a construction crew removes the statue from the main campus of Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, June 19, 2020.
This statue of Christopher Columbus in Schenley Park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Penn. was vandalized on June 12, 2020.
This statue of Christopher Columbus in Schenley Park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Penn. was vandalized on June 12, 2020.
Workers use cherry pickers to access the statue of John C. Calhoun atop the monument in his honor at Marion Square on June 24, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. Former Vice President Calhoun is well-known for defending slavery.
Workers use cherry pickers to access the statue of John C. Calhoun atop the monument in his honor at Marion Square on June 24, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. Former Vice President Calhoun is well-known for defending slavery.
A worker uses a saw at the foot of the statue of John C. Calhoun atop a monument in his honor at Marion Square on June 24, 2020, in Charleston, S. C. Work crews began dismantling the monument in Tuesday evening.
A worker uses a saw at the foot of the statue of John C. Calhoun atop a monument in his honor at Marion Square on June 24, 2020, in Charleston, S. C. Work crews began dismantling the monument in Tuesday evening.
Protesters attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square near the White House on June 22, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Protests continue around the country over police brutality, racial injustice and the deaths of African Americans while in police custody.
Protesters attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square near the White House on June 22, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Protests continue around the country over police brutality, racial injustice and the deaths of African Americans while in police custody.
Protestors attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square near the White House on June 22, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
Protestors attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square near the White House on June 22, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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The bronze sculpture representing the Goddess of Masonry on the base of the statue of Confederate general Albert Pike is seen with red paint after protestors toppled Pike's statue and set it on fire early Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
The bronze sculpture representing the Goddess of Masonry on the base of the statue of Confederate general Albert Pike is seen with red paint after protestors toppled Pike's statue and set it on fire early Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
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The head part of the statue of a Confederate general Albert Pike, in the nation's capital, lies on the ground after it was toppled by protesters and set on fire in Washington, D.C. early Saturday, June 20, 2020.
The head part of the statue of a Confederate general Albert Pike, in the nation's capital, lies on the ground after it was toppled by protesters and set on fire in Washington, D.C. early Saturday, June 20, 2020.
Workers prepare to remove the Jefferson Davis statue from the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on Saturday, June 13, 2020. A Kentucky commission voted to take down a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the state Capitol. The panel supported a push from the governor as the country faces protests against police brutality following the deaths of African Americans in encounters with police.
A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis lies on the street after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Va. on June 10, 2020.
A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis lies on the street after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Va. on June 10, 2020.
The John B. Castleman statue, in Louisville's Cherokee Triangle neighborhood, is removed on June 8, 2020 from its pedestal where it has stood for over 100 years. The statue was placed on a trailer after its removal.
The John B. Castleman statue, in Louisville's Cherokee Triangle neighborhood, is removed on June 8, 2020 from its pedestal where it has stood for over 100 years. The statue was placed on a trailer after its removal.
A statue of Christopher Columbus rests in a shallow pond after protesters pulled it off its pedestal and dragged it across a street in Richmond, Va. on June 9, 2020.
A statue of Christopher Columbus rests in a shallow pond after protesters pulled it off its pedestal and dragged it across a street in Richmond, Va. on June 9, 2020.
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The statues on the Confederate monument are covered in graffiti and beheaded after a protest in Portsmouth, Va. on June 10, 2020. Protesters, frustrated by the Portsmouth City Council’s decision to put off moving the monument, beheaded and then pulled down four statues that were part of a Confederate monument.
Workers from Daedalus Inc. attempt to remove a statue depicting Christopher Columbus, which had its head removed, at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park on June 10, 2020 in Boston, Mass. The statue was beheaded overnight and is scheduled to be removed by the City of Boston.
Workers from Daedalus Inc. attempt to remove a statue depicting Christopher Columbus, which had its head removed, at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park on June 10, 2020 in Boston, Mass. The statue was beheaded overnight and is scheduled to be removed by the City of Boston.
The pedestal where the statue of Admiral Raphael Semmes stands empty on June 5, 2020 in Mobile, Ala. The city of Mobile removed the Confederate statue early Friday without making any public announcements.
The pedestal where the statue of Admiral Raphael Semmes stands empty on June 5, 2020 in Mobile, Ala. The city of Mobile removed the Confederate statue early Friday without making any public announcements.
An inspection crew from the Virginia Department of General Services inspect the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue on June. 8, 2020 in Richmond, Va. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of the statue.
An inspection crew from the Virginia Department of General Services inspect the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue on June. 8, 2020 in Richmond, Va. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of the statue.
An inspection crew from the Virginia Department of General Services take measurements as they inspect the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue on June 8, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of the statue.
An inspection crew from the Virginia Department of General Services take measurements as they inspect the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue on June 8, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of the statue.
The statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham lies on the ground after protesters pulled it down on June 6, 2020 in Monroe Park in Richmond, Va. The statue had stood in the park since 1891.
The statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham lies on the ground after protesters pulled it down on June 6, 2020 in Monroe Park in Richmond, Va. The statue had stood in the park since 1891.
Visitors check out the foundation of Confederate statue on June 7, 2020, which was removed from Monroe Park in Richmond, Va. after protesters tore it down Saturday night.
Visitors check out the foundation of Confederate statue on June 7, 2020, which was removed from Monroe Park in Richmond, Va. after protesters tore it down Saturday night.
A statue of Christopher Columbus, which was toppled to the ground by protesters, is loaded onto a truck on the grounds of the State Capitol on June 10, 2020 in St Paul, Minn.
A statue of Christopher Columbus, which was toppled to the ground by protesters, is loaded onto a truck on the grounds of the State Capitol on June 10, 2020 in St Paul, Minn.
A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis lies on the street after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Va. on June 10, 2020.
A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis lies on the street after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Va. on June 10, 2020.
A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis is loaded on a tow truck after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Va on June 10, 2020.
A statue of Confederate States President Jefferson Davis is loaded on a tow truck after protesters pulled it down in Richmond, Va on June 10, 2020.
Black Lives Matter supporters continue their protests in Jacksonville, Florida's Hemming Park at the Confederate Memorial, minus the Confederate soldier statue at the top as a backdrop. The bronze plaques around the base were removed during the night by the City of Jacksonville in the first step take down the City's confederate monuments.
Black Lives Matter supporters continue their protests in Jacksonville, Florida's Hemming Park at the Confederate Memorial, minus the Confederate soldier statue at the top as a backdrop. The bronze plaques around the base were removed during the night by the City of Jacksonville in the first step take down the City's confederate monuments.
Members of the Minnesota State Patrol stand guard as a statue of Christopher Columbus, which was toppled to the ground by protesters, is loaded onto a truck on the grounds of the State Capitol on June 10, 2020 in St Paul, Minn.
Members of the Minnesota State Patrol stand guard as a statue of Christopher Columbus, which was toppled to the ground by protesters, is loaded onto a truck on the grounds of the State Capitol on June 10, 2020 in St Paul, Minn.

Hours before the statue’s fall, Richmond’s African-American mayor Levar Stoney acknowledged the time was right for the deconstruction.

“Frankly, it’s time to heal,” said Stoney on Wednesday.

A March law passed by Virginia’s General Assembly allows state localities to remove Confederate monuments, said a Stoney spokesman.

His take on the removal aligned with the consensus of many of the spectators.

“Anybody that takes the time to examine the history of Richmond . . . would probably agree that these were put here to sell a segregated community,” said attendee Daniel Farren. “This should have happened a long time ago.”

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