NEW ORLEANS — A state judge ruled Friday against an effort by preservationists to stop the removal of prominent Confederate monuments in New Orleans.Civil District Court Judge Piper D. Griffin said the city did not act improperly in deciding to take down four monuments tied to Confederate history, including a towering column and statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.Griffin denied a request to stop the city from moving forward with its plans. The plaintiffs said they would appeal.The state suit deals with three of the …