Petition to replace Robert E. Lee statue with one of Gwar’s Oderus Urungus gathers pace

Oderus Urungus (Image credit: Gary Miller - Getty)

The future of the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond is currently the subject of a legal tug of war.

Last week, Virginia’s Democrat Governor Ralph Northam announced plans to remove the statue amid the widespread Black Lives Matter protests following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

However, a county circuit judge has now temporarily blocked the removal of the statue, granting a 10-day injunction which was brought by a local resident.

Now a petition has been started to have Lee’s statue replaced by one of Gwar's Oderus Urungus, aka the late Dave Brockie.

The petition reads: “Robert E. Lee is a failed war general that supported a racist cause. For too long, the city of Richmond has been displaying statues of him and other loser civil war veterans.

“We, the scumdogs of the universe, call on the city of Richmond to erect a statue of great local leader Oderus Urungus in its place.

“While Oderus comes from the planet Scumdogia, he called Richmond his home, working with the local art community and employing local artists and ladies of the night.”

The campaign has even drawn the support of former Gwar member Danielle Stampe, aka Slymenstra Hymen, who posted the news on Facebook

At the time of writing more than 18,000 people have signed the petition, while GWAR Scumdog, who started the petition, is calling on people to donate if they can to Richmond's COVID-19 Arts and Culture Relief Fund.

Statues of Confederate generals and soldiers have been the focus of much debate recently, with many people saying they honour the memory of those who fought to uphold slavery.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.