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The state has placed a thumb on the scale for a pro-Confederacy message, and the people, acting through their city, will never be able to disassociate themselves from that message entirely.

Ruling from Judge Michael Graffeo, who concluded that the city of Birmingham did not violate state law when it covered up a Confederate monument with plywood. The Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, which Graffeo ruled has no legal authority, bans local governments from moving historical monuments that have been on public property for at least four decades.

Ruling from Judge Michael Graffeo, who concluded that the city of Birmingham did not violate state law when it covered up a Confederate monument with plywood. The Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, which Graffeo ruled has no legal authority, bans local governments from moving historical monuments that have been on public property for at least four decades. 

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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