A federal judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the removal of the Reconciliation Monument, also known as the Confederate Memorial, from Arlington National Cemetery. The monument, which is located in a section of the cemetery designated for Confederate soldiers, has been the subject of controversy since its construction in 1914.
The Defend Arlington group filed a lawsuit to stop the memorial’s removal, claiming that taking it down would be illegal. The group argued that the monument is a grave marker and is integral to the history of the cemetery. U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston granted a temporary restraining order, halting any acts to deconstruct, tear down, remove, or alter the object of the case.
The decision to remove the memorial was made after Congress created a commission in 2021 to evaluate links to the Confederacy on any federal property. The removal of the Reconciliation Monument was a part of this effort. However, the lawsuit argued that removing the monument would desecrate, damage, and likely destroy it, impacting its eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The monument was designed by Moses Ezekiel, a prominent Jewish American sculptor. It is at the center of the graves of Confederate soldiers and is widely seen as a symbol of reconciliation in the aftermath of the Civil War. It features a quote from Isaiah 2:4, which speaks about turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, sending a powerful message of peace and unity.
In addition to its historical significance, many veterans’ groups and political leaders have opposed the removal of the monument. A group of House Republicans recently wrote a letter to the Pentagon urging them to reconsider, arguing that the removal was unnecessary and needlessly divisive.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Confederate Memorial, many presidents have sent flowers to the monument on Memorial Day, showing respect for the soldiers buried in the cemetery. With a long and complicated history, the fate of the monument remains to be seen as legal battles continue.