Mobile cleans vandalized Confederate statue; Birmingham removes theirs

The Raphael Semmes Statue in Mobile

The statue was vandalized overnight in Mobile.

The Admiral Raphael Semmes Confederate Statue in downtown Mobile was vandalized early Tuesday morning, right around the time Birmingham was pulling apart its own memorial to those who had fought and lost in the American Civil War.

The contrast between the city’s approaches to days of protest was apparent as the sun rose on Tuesday.

Birmingham was left with only the base of its Confederate monument, covered in graffiti after days of activism following the death of George Floyd. Weighing 67,000 pounds, according to rough estimates, the statue was dismantled overnight and loaded with some difficulty on the back of a large truck. The city might have to pay a $25,000 fine for violating a law preserving monuments.

Down in Mobile, the statue of Semmes, who defected from the U.S. Navy after 35 years of service to fight for the Confederacy, was being cleaned vigorously by city workers.

Using industrial power washers, the workers not only washed away the red graffiti but also the green patina from the copper plates surrounding the light sandstone. Parts of the statue have now been restored to its original state as when it was first erected in June 1900.

A city of Mobile spokesperson said a suspect has been identified and any decision to remove the statue would have to be collaborative.

“The statue was vandalized last night and a suspect has been identified,” said the spokesperson. “The graffiti is being cleaned, as we would do with any public property. Any decision on moving it would be collaborative in nature. There is a process for that, and we are listening to the community’s voice as part of that process.”

The statue was the subject of threats back in August 2017, around the same time the nation was caught up in debate about the meaning of Confederate statues around the country. That debate was fueled by protests against the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia.

While peaceful protests in Mobile turned violent Sunday, Monday evening was relatively quiet around the city. Mobile Police Department vehicles parked close to the scene of protests the evening before, where activists were shot at by police with pepper balls. No one showed up and the cops left.

A Thai restaurant was also set on fire in Tillman’s Corner, although it is not yet known if the fire was connected to protests. One person was arrested, according to MPD.

A Black Lives Matter banner was displayed prominently around the fountain in Bienville Square.

In all, 13 people were arrested throughout Sunday evening. The charges included arson, looting and civil unrest, among others.

A protest march is planned for 5 p.m. Tuesday evening near the Dollar general on Airport, according to organizers who spoke with AL.com.

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