Virginia crews removed a 131-year-old statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee Wednesday morning, one of the largest and most recognizable symbols of Confederate history in the state. Crews harnessed the 12-ton statue and removed it from its 40-foot pedestaleliciting cheers from the crowd of about 200 people. Some wore Black Lives Matter shirts and chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets!” and “Hey hey hey, goodbye.” State Sens. Jennifer McClellan and Louise Lucas waved and hugged bystanders as the statue was hoisted from its pedestal. “This was a long time coming, part of the healing process so Virginia can move forward and be a welcoming state with inclusiveness and diversity,” said Gov. Ralph Northam, who attended the removal. The Democrat said it represents “more than 400 years of history that we should not be proud of,” and congratulated Virginians for supporting its removal. The centerpiece of Richmond's Monument Avenue was the road's last remaining Confederate memorial following a citywide movement to take the statues down. The monument's continued presence became the focal point for demonstrators rallying for racial justice last summer. 📷: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY