NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison assured the public Friday that protesters will not be taking down the Andrew Jackson statue in Jackson Square Saturday.
Leaders of the Take ‘Em Down Nola group that’s fighting to have Confederate monuments removed have vowed to march from Congo Square to Jackson Square Saturday afternoon and remove the Andrew Jackson statue using ropes and a lot of manpower.
Harrison said there will be a heavy police presence at the protest, and although the protesters will have “ample room to exercise their First Amendment rights,” destruction of property will not be tolerated.
Harrison also noted that counter-protesters are expected to show up, so that’s why you’ll see an even heavier police presence than what you typically see at a rally.
He said any destruction of the statue would likely be a felony.
