As Mitch Landrieu's tenure as mayor is winding down, Confederate monuments are gaining attention again on social media.
That's after a crowd gathered in Mid-City to see the latest monument covered in profanity written in red paint and the symbolism of an execution.
No one Eyewitness News talked to had ever heard of Confederate Col. Charles Didier Dreux, the New Orleans district attorney and state representative who was killed in an attack on Union officers in Virginia. After his concrete bust was made to look bloody with bright red paint and profanity, onlookers had opinions.
As the image began being shared on social media, people started arriving on the neutral ground on South Jefferson Davis Parkway and Canal Street. They wanted to see the defaced bust and profanity-filled graffiti for themselves. Others wanted to take pictures of the symbolism of hooding a person before he was hanged.
"I understand the rage. I understand the being upset, and I also feel like it kind of furthers the division and discontent," said Jayeesha Dutta, who felt the graffiti can cause a bigger emotional divide among people.
"If you want to go through that emotion man, go talk to the people. Don't do that. You don't have no class. You are very, very slow. It takes you two hours to watch 60 minutes," said Larry Jordan.
The NOPD arrived on the scene as well and called in the New Orleans Fire Department to use a ladder to remove the hood and duct tape. That's when several pieces of the statue came off. Reportedly it was already missing the nose from previous vandalism. A call was also made by police for a clean-up team. The people who came out had many viewpoints.
"Personally, I don't think destroying history, by destroying monuments, is going to change history," said Charles Washmon, who claimed he was a descendant of Dreux.
"We still have history books. Are they going to erase the history books next? Come on. If they're going to take one down, take them all down. Get it over and done with. Come on," said Johnny Vincent.
"Is it my tactic? Maybe not, but more tactics the better. If something incites healthy conflict, that can spark dialogue. So be it," said Kendra Davis.
"This is over the top for sure, but you can't deny it's a powerful image," said Joe Amato.
Wednesday night, a second Confederate monument nearby was also vandalized. Spray paint was discovered on the concrete base where the monument to Confederate President Jefferson Davis once stood.
Eyewitness News wanted to find out what the new mayor's plan is going forward for Confederate-era monuments. A spokesman for the Cantrell administration was contacted by e-mail and phone, a few times, but a response has not been given at this time.