Firm Hired To Remove Confederate Statues In NOLA Backs Out After Threats

FILE-In this In this Sept. 2, 2015 file photo, the Robert E. Lee Monument is seen in Lee Circle in New Orleans. New Orleans is poised to make a sweeping break with its Confederate past as it contemplates removing pro... FILE-In this In this Sept. 2, 2015 file photo, the Robert E. Lee Monument is seen in Lee Circle in New Orleans. New Orleans is poised to make a sweeping break with its Confederate past as it contemplates removing prominent Confederate monuments now standing on some of its busiest streets. On Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, the City Council is set to vote on an ordinance to remove four monuments. A majority of council members and the mayor support the move, which would be one of the strongest gestures yet by American city to sever ties with Confederate history. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) MORE LESS
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The contracting firm that was hired to take down some Confederate monuments in New Orleans has backed out after facing death threats, as was revealed in the proceedings for a case seeking to halt the monuments’ removal.

Rebecca Dietz, a city attorney, said at a hearing Thursday that H&O Investments LLC of Baton Rouge sent a letter to the city backing out after its office received death threats, the owner’s wife was threatened over the phone, and it became apparent its contracts with other businesses were at risk, the Associated Press reported.

New Orleans City Council approval of a measure that would take down four Confederate monuments in the city prompted a local chapter of a neo-Confederate group, along with a few preservations groups, to file a complaint halting the removal. The city has agreed to not remove the statutes until after the initial round of proceedings

At Thursday’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier seemed skeptical of the challengers’ arguments as to why a preliminary injunction should be placed on the removal the statues, The Advocate reported.

“I went back and read your legal memorandum at least five times and I don’t even understand your argument,” Barbier said, according to The Advocate. “Usually I understand an argument even if I don’t agree with it.”

He said planned to issue a written decision in the near future, according to The Advocate.

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  1. More right-wing terrorism. But let’s make sure we dont let in any three-year-old orphaned refugees from Syria.

  2. Avatar for bkmn bkmn says:

    I hope H&O filed a police report about those threatening calls. If they didn’t the city should not let them out of their contract.

  3. Trump: I will protect that flag. No state can take it down. It will be our new flag. South won the war and we know it.

  4. Send me a plane ticket and some TNT. I can fix this.

  5. How about her doing it instead? Bree

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