I live just down the street from this statue, so here is my take on it. The cleanup costs were tallied at over $1000, so it's not quite as easy as walking up there with a sponge and a bucket of soap. But even worse than that is the embarrassment that comes out of people defacing our landmarks to further their agenda.

Yes, richmond was the Confederate capital, but 150 years later it's a very modern and socially liberal city. All the Confederate flags have been taken down in the public square and we are left with a series of beautifully crafted landmarks that serve as a reminder of our history. No one is bowing down to these statues or using them as inspiration for a neo - confederate revolution. They're nice statues that we pass by while commuting, and bring tourists into our city. That's kinda it. I don't exactly love what some of our beautiful old historic churches stood for, but I don't think they should be razed or defaced to satisfy someone's modern day agenda. Good intentions or not, vandalism is tacky, it's a crime, and it devalues your message. I have NO problem if someone wants to protest this or other statues... but go hold up a sign. Put your face behind it. Don't be a coward by committing vandalism and running and hiding.

As to the "someone who agreed with slavery" angle, you could pretty much put that label on all of our forefathers. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were Virginians that owned slaves and they have two of the most iconic monuments in the country up in DC. Had they been in positions of power around the time of secession they may very well have been confederate generals too. Even the "great emancipatior" Abe Lincoln was a terrible racist and a strident proponent of strict segregation.

I do not honor Jefferson Davis. Few if any in this city do. but this statue beautifies my city and gives historical context. Walk around in a sandwich board if you need to make social commentary.