Richmond, Virginia (Associated Press) - The dismantling of a huge pedestal began Wednesday morning in the capital of Virginia. Until recently, the pedestal contained a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee.

A worker on the scaffolding and a large lifting truck are trying to remove and lift a large stone base in Richmond.

It marks an early step in a process that is expected to last several weeks.

The administration of Democratic Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia announced on Sunday that it plans to demolish the pedestal located in the middle of the traffic circle along the city's historic Monument Avenue. The governor also announced plans to transfer the state-owned site to the city after the base has been demolished.

The announcement on Sunday marked a reversal from September, when the statue was demolished, but the Northam government stated that the plinth will remain intact as it reimagines the future of Monument Avenue.

Last summer, other Confederate statues were removed from residential avenues after the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd sparked a protest movement.

In the Northern Leaf Office and Gop Gov.-election Glenn Wharkkin came and moved away.

The state stated that the demolition work is expected to be basically completed by December 31.