From the Heritage Foundation, I'm Michelle Cordero, and this is Heritage Explains.

Over the past month, a debate over policing, race, and history has turned into angry lawlessness,

with mobs swarming cities and destroying statues across the United States.

Near the White House overnight, a tense standoff with police as protesters tried to tear down a statue of former president Andrew Jackson.

It's a racist Confederate statue. Okay, you should be knocked down and kidnapped down and kitten a museum.

It's a West Englewoodle, a statue of Abraham Lincoln,

sitting on the corner of 69th and Walcott for almost 100 years.

I grew up with this statue.

It's like a landmark.

But days ago, someone vandalized it.

There was intentionality behind purposefully tarring Abraham Lincoln's bust, wrapping it in, tar paper,

and setting it on fire.

For neighbors, it's hard to believe.

To see this, deface like that, burnt up like that, it's a disgrace to the whole neighborhood.

Breaking overnight, a statue of Christopher Columbus has been beheaded in Boston.

Look at these stark images here at Christopher Columbus Park right near Boston Harbor next door to Fanual Hall in the New England Aquarium.

Police are investigating, but so far there's no word on any arrests.

During protests over the past few days, statues of figures connected to slavery have been toppled and vandalized all around the world.

This video posted Sunday shows protesters tearing down the statue of Thomas Jefferson at the Portland High School named for the president. In 1916, students had raised the money to put it in place. and by Monday morning, June of 2020, the school district had organized a cleanup.

Kind of beautiful sweet, being a black American and a graduate, class of 69, very proud class of 69.

I was on Facebook when I first saw it. My first name was wild.

Others in the community.

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