After receiving approval from the court last week, today was the day set for the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond, Virginia.Many gathered early to watch from the front lines.

The public viewing area for the Lee statue removal is now open. pic.twitter.com/pbcS6zELIC

— Goad Gatsby (@GoadGatsby) September 8, 2021

Statue removal has been in debate for a long time. Some of those in protest to this statue defaced the base with messages of protest and there had been issues keeping graffiti off for longer than a few days. People begin to post live footage and share opinions about the statue’s removal.

Robert E. Lee statue removed from Richmond's Monument Avenue, a key milestone in the destruction and rewriting of American history.

p.s. Lee had more dignity in his little finger than this guy on the cherry picker will ever have. pic.twitter.com/UJsyyzCxtD

— Save Our Statues -Robert Poll (@_SaveOurStatues) September 8, 2021

In honor of the removal of the Lee statue in Charlottesville. pic.twitter.com/YCf6Ac78ML

— (((drphillips2001))) (@drphillips2001) September 8, 2021

The statue comes down and people celebrate its removal.

Devon Henry, owner of the construction company that took down the massive statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia, hugs his mom following the statue's removal. https://t.co/3ETf4Iftxk pic.twitter.com/rDbbbDHwB3

— ABC News (@ABC) September 8, 2021

WATCH - Crowds cheer as a towering statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee is removed in Virginia after 131 years.pic.twitter.com/Cc3lDAXse8

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 8, 2021

#BlackLivesMatter activists gather around the statue of the Confederate general Robert E Lee before its scheduled removal in Richmond, Virginia. Erected more than 130 years ago, it is the largest confederate statue in the US
Credit: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA pic.twitter.com/TnyfDwrtpQ

— Pixiedust (@PixiedustJtT) September 8, 2021

It begins to rain as Robert E. Lee cut in half and hauled away in a tarp.

Robert E. Lee statue cut in half after removal, headed to women’s correctional center https://t.co/q8ni4J4zYA pic.twitter.com/PZswIFtRYx

— Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF (@MyStateline) September 8, 2021

The Robert E. Lee statue was hauled away from its spot on Monument Avenue today. A source familiar with the removal process told 8News that the statue will be kept at the Goochland Women's Correctional Center. MORE HERE: https://t.co/ToHxiKewrg pic.twitter.com/qDex3DrstS

— 8News WRIC Richmond (@8NEWS) September 8, 2021

Former President Trump releases a statement about the removal of the Richmond statue.

Trump, in a lengthy statement, decries the removal of Richmond's Robert E. Lee statue, calling it "magnificent."

"If only we had Robert E. Lee to command our troops in Afghanistan... What an embarrassment we are suffering because we don’t have the genius of a Robert E. Lee!" pic.twitter.com/cRoLoUp5br

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) September 8, 2021

Of course, people share their opinion in response.

On confederate statue removal: We can’t change history. But to hold up a traitor as a hero is disingenuous. I understand why Lincoln decided not to try the confederate leaders for treason. He was trying to pull the county together, they should have been tried. Same for 1/6!!

— Wendi (@wendow) September 9, 2021

If someone ever says we will "lose" our history with the removal of a CSA statue, then I will respond like my friend does. pic.twitter.com/mmVSuWsI9t

— Dr. Holly Pinheiro, Jr. (The Machine) ✊🏾 (@PhUsct) September 8, 2021