Marcus-David Peters Circle is a public forum and access to it is protected under the First Amendment. It is a space for gatherings, demonstrations, and mutual aid. In its current state, the Lee Monument stands inaccessible to the public and is incapable of serving as a public forum. While the removal of the monument is schedule for July 2021, court appeals from locals to keep the statue have destabilized this removal date. However, it has been made clear that the statue is not coming down any time soon. While it is understandable to protect the safety of workers and visitors during the statue's removal, the grounds surrounding the Lee Monument must continuously operate as a public forum until such time as the removal is imminent. This specific location in Richmond has served as a center of community engagement, and the state conceded its status as a public forum when it put in place a process to permit such expressive activity (1VAC30-150-10 - 1VAC30-150-50). It is imperative that the Virginia Department of General Services and Governor Ralph Northam remove the fencing surrounding Marcus-David Peters Circle until the date of the statues removal is definite.