Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding the Robert E. Lee statue that fled the scene of removal earlier today. The incident happened just after 3:00 p.m. at Lee Circle in New Orleans.
Police are looking for the statue of Robert E. Lee, which they say fled Lee Circle as it tries to avoid the reach of Mayor Mitch Landrieu. The Lee statue, 133, is sought by authorities for every crime in New Orleans since 1884 and for resisting removal.
Knowing it is next on the list of Confederate monuments to be removed from New Orleans after the city completed dismantling of the PGT Beauregard statue, the Robert E. Lee statue fled in hopes it can prolong its freedom. The piece should be considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities were tipped off that Lee was planning to travel from New Orleans to Kennerbra at some point today, seeking asylum in America’s City, which the monument allegedly referred to as a place “a statue can be a statue without being hassled by authorities.”
Mayor Landrieu caught up with Lee around 3:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon as the statue dismounted its pedestal in Lee Circle. The mayor approached Lee but the statue recognized the shine from Landrieu’s polished head and immediately retreated.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the Robert E. Lee statue is asked to contact Mayor Landrieu’s office at (504) 658-4900.