Democracy Dies in Darkness

Lafayette Square reopens to public early Thursday; Jefferson Davis statue pulled down in Va. capital

RICHMOND, VA - JUNE 10: A Richmond police officer stand by the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis after it was pulled down off of it's pedestal on Monument Avenue in Richmond, VA on June 10, 2020. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

By Dana Hedgpeth

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June 11, 2020 at 12:33 a.m. EDT

As the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police stretched into their 12th day in Washington, District leaders proposed significant reforms to the city’s police force, saying the protesters have been heard and police practices must change.

From Tuesday: A somber feel at D.C. protest on day of George Floyd’s funeral

Here are some significant developments:

• The National Park Service said Wednesday evening that the public would have access to Lafayette Square starting Thursday, though a portion of temporary fencing would remain some damaged areas. The announcement came after confusion earlier in the day about how long the fencing near the park would remain. Other fencing surrounding the White House was removed earlier Wednesday.

• Late Wednesday in Richmond, protesters pulled down a statue of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. The statue was located about a half-mile from a monument of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, which Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has said he plans to remove.

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