Judge: Suit To Remove Andrew Jackson Statue ‘Empty Gesture’

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a man who argued that a statue of Andrew Jackson should be removed from New Orleans' Jackson Square — a sideline skirmish issue in the city's larger legal battle to take down monuments to Confederate heroes.

Judge Carl Barbier said in Tuesday's ruling that the lawsuit is an "empty gesture" by Richard Marksbury, who actually opposes the removal of any statues.

Barbier rejected Marksbury's argument that he was treated unfairly when he was denied a hearing before the full City Council to argue for removal of the statue of Jackson — a slave owner now widely criticized for his treatment of American Indians.

Meanwhile, a federal appeals court is weighing Barbier's earlier decision allowing the city to remove the Confederate monuments.

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