Lawyers argue about removing Confederate statues (LA)

[struggle4progress]

Updated 11:37 am, Wednesday, September 28, 2016

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — ... A court has heard arguments on whether New Orleans should be able to remove four Confederate monuments.

Attorneys for New Orleans on Wednesday told a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that the city has the right to take them down. Monument supporters want them to remain while the court process continues. The judges reached no decision and did not indicate how quickly that would happen ...

http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/us/article/The-Latest-Lawyers-argue-about-removing-9370099.php

[struggle4progress]

1. Judges question groups seeking to keep New Orleans Confederate monuments

BY JEFF ADELSON
SEP 28, 2016 - 8:30 AM

... During an hourlong hearing, the judges repeatedly questioned legal theories brought by four groups led by the Monumental Task Committee that their upkeep of statues of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and P.T. Beauregard gave them an ownership interest in the statues.

The appeals court is deciding whether New Orleans can remove those statues from public display while a district court hears the full case.

In December, the City Council voted 6-1 to remove those statues as well as a fourth monument to a white supremacist militia. The fourth statue, which commemorates the Battle of Liberty Place, is not part of the hearing because it is protected by a federal consent decree.

The judges did not issue a ruling ...

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/politics/article_aaaf1c2e-857f-11e6-9508-6f0f9038da4c.html