A group of protesters attempted to topple a statue of Andrew Jackson outside the White House on Monday night, according to DC police.
Officers cleared the protesters out of Lafayette Square after they broke through the fence surrounding the statue inside the park and placed chains and ropes around it to pull it down, chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, Andrew Jackson’s got to go.”
The crowd clashed with the police who reportedly used pepper spray, rubber bullets and batons to disperse them.
People gathering at Lafayette Square.
I can see what I assume are Secret Service on the White House roof. More police presence in the park—probably about 20 that I can see. pic.twitter.com/faUfYYntP2
— Margaret Barthel (@margaretbarthel) June 22, 2020
Jackson, the seventh president of the nation, is known for driving Native Americans from their land, which is the reason why his statue became a target of racial justice demonstrators.
He served as President of the United States between 1829 and 1837. Prior to his presidency, he was a Representative and Senator for Tennessee. He also served as the Governor of Florida.
Jackson’s bronze statue that was targeted was commissioned by Congress in 1847 and was erected in 1853 to honor him as a General for his role in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.
He had around 150 slaves when he died in 1845.