Baltimore quietly removed its Confederate statues overnight

Crews using heavy machinery went around Baltimore's parks and public squares last night and removed a series of statues dedicated to Confederate heroes, per the NY Times.

Baynard Woods, the editor at large of The Baltimore City Paper who documented the night's events on Twitter, described the atmosphere as "celebratory." The workers were also accompanied by a group of police officers, who Woods said were "being cheerful and encouraging people to take photos and selfies."

Timing: The statues were removed under the order of Mayor Catherine Pugh following the City Council's Monday vote to move them. The vote came just two days after a driver ran over protestors at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville Saturday.