. >> abc7 news reporter josh haas kell showed how the removal has caused controversy on both sides. >early thursday morning construction workers dressed intact cal gear faces covered removed the 106 year old statue of jefferson davis. as a crane lifted the statue of the confederate leader into the sky, supporters and protesters faced off. >> beautiful historic monuments and a lot of this, people are against it are even not from here originaly. and don't understand, you know, our culture and a lot of people even from here don't know their history. and i think if they knew their history it would be a more unifying thing. instead they want to demon eyes history. >> reporter: the city of new orleans did not announce the timing of the removal due to threats of violence. however, an area school was notified and sent a message to parents, then word spread. >> this is the culmination of six decades of struggle here in this city. >> yes, it is. >> and we are so proud to have all of you out here with us tonight. >> reporter: new orleans mayor mitch lan drew leads the effort to remove the three

abc7 news reporter josh haas kell has more news on the major player in american politics and media. >a giant in media and politics, roger ailes died thursday after being in a coma. the 77-year-old fell in the bathroom of his palm beach home last week. in a statement, ales's wife beth wrote, roger was my best friend, the most wonderful loving husband and father to our son zachary. ales advise the the successful presidential campaigns of nixon, reagan and george h.w. bush. he later built fox news, providing conservatives with a powerful voice. >> roger invented fox news and for 20 years has been fox news. >> reporter: rupert murdoch called the former fox news chairman a brilliant broadcaster. roger played a huge role in shaping america's media over the last 30 years. he will be remembered by the many people on both sides of the camera that he discovered, nurtured and promoted. last year ailes found himself at the center of sexual harassment allegations from fox news anchors including gretchen carlson and megyn kelly. he resigned last summer. following his death president george h.w. bus