After violence erupted at white supremacist protests in Charlottesville, VA on Saturday, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray announced through Twitter that he plans to relocate Confederate statues in the city.

I am taking action to relocate the Confederate statues. We have thoroughly examined this issue, and heard from many of our citizens.

— Mayor Jim Gray (@JimGrayLexKY) August 12, 2017

In a statement cited by The Huffington Post, Mayor Gray said: “The tragic events in Charlottesville today have accelerated the announcement I intended to make next week. On Tuesday I will ask the Council to support Lexington’s petition to the Kentucky Military Heritage Commission, a required next step. Details to come.”

The continued presence of Confederate statues on public property across the southern states has caused several controversies, especially in recent months as white nationalist groups have felt more empowered. The rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville was originally being held to oppose the removal of a statue of General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy. 

To read the full story in The Huffington Post, click here.