New Orleans Begins Removing Monuments to the Confederacy

The city of New Orleans has a plan to remove four monuments to the Confederate States of America, deciding that monuments to the racist cause of the Confederacy belong in a museum, not in the city.

1 minute read

April 24, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


General P.G.T. Beauregard equestrian statue

The General P.G.T. Beauregard equestrian statue near City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana will also be removed. | Nolabob / Wikimedia Commons

"Efforts to remove four Confederate monuments commenced early Monday morning (April 24), as crews and police gathered around the Battle of Liberty Place monument downtown around 2 a.m. to begin dismantling the first of four statues eyed for removal by the city," reports Beau Evans.

The action required police snipers and a barricade around the monument as crews removed the monument. The monument's removal was made possible by a 2015 ordinance backed by Mayor Landrieu. In a press release to announce the Battle of Liberty Place monument, Mayor Landrieu “The removal of these statues sends a clear and unequivocal message to the people of New Orleans and the nation: New Orleans celebrates our diversity, inclusion and tolerance,” 

"Mayor Mitch Landrieu has called the Battle of Liberty Place monument the 'most offensive, of the four up for removal," according to Evans. "Erected in 1891, it commemorates the Crescent City White League-attempt to overthrow the city's Reconstructionist government after the Civil War." 

Nicole Chavez and Emanuella Grinberg also reported the news of the late-night/early-morning monument removal for CNN. German Lopez also followed up on the news for a post on Vox, also providing a recap of that website's past arguments to connect the Confederacy inextricably from the institution of slavery.

Monday, April 24, 2017 in The Times-Picayune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today