Birmingham Sued Over Monument

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Wednesday sued Birmingham Mayor William Bell, over his order to cover up a Confederate monument at Linn Park.    The suit demands the city remove plywood barriers constructed in front of the Soldiers and Sailors monument, which was dedicated in 1905.  Marshall's suit cites a new state law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey, which protects historical monuments.  "In accordance with the law, my office has determined that by affixing tarps and placing plywood around the Linn Park memorial such that it is hidden from view, the defendants have 'altered' or 'otherwise disturbed' the memorial in violation of the letter and spirit of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act," Marshall said in a  statement.  "The city of Birmingham does not have the right to violate the law and leaves my office with no choice but to file suit."  Marshall is asking the judge to impose fines of $25,000 for each day the monument is covered.    In a statement, Bell said:  "We look forward to the court system clarifying the rights and power of a municipality to control its parks absent state intervention"   Bell said he ordered the monument concealed in response to the violence in Charlottesville, Va.


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