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Slave Auction Block Sparks Legal Battle Over Removal

creative commons

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (The Free Lance-Star) — A business owner in Virginia is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to prevent a slave auction block from being removed from downtown Fredericksburg.

The Free Lance-Star reports that a motion was filed Wednesday on the behalf of the owner of a commercial building across the street.

The building owner and the owner of a nearby restaurant have argued that they'll lose business from tourist traffic if the auction block is removed.

A judge recently ruled that the city has the authority to move the block to a museum.

A judge will consider the requested restraining order at a court hearing on Monday afternoon. 

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.