Judge: New Orleans Can Remove 4th Confederate-era Monument

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge has cleared the way for New Orleans officials to remove a fourth Confederate-era monument.

The Liberty Monument, honoring whites who rebelled against a Reconstruction government, is among four the City Council voted to remove in December 2015. The vote led to litigation by opponents of the removal.

On Monday, a federal appeals court said three statues dedicated to Confederate leaders could be removed.

Late Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier ruled that the Liberty Monument could go. The Liberty Monument case was tied up in additional, longer-standing litigation.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who backs the removals, said the Liberty Monument was "the most offensive of the four" and said it was erected to "revere white supremacy."

He said Barbier's decision affirms the city's right to control its property.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.