Statue of Confederate Robert E. Lee taken down in Virginia

A crowd erupted in cheers and song Wednesday as work crews hoisted an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee off the giant pedestal where it has towered over Virginia’s capital city for more than a century.

"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," Gov. Ralph Northam said once the statue was lowered to the ground. The Democrat said it represents "more than 400 years of history that we should not be proud of," and he congratulated Virginians for supporting its removal. Black Lives Matter signs were seen in the crowd. Some chanted "Whose streets? Our streets!" and sang, "Hey hey hey, goodbye." The statue was lowered to the ground, where it was expected to be cut into pieces so that it can be brought to a secure location and stored until its final disposition is determined.