Raphael Semmes Statue in Mobile-- Part 3: City Fined for Unlawful Removal of It

The statue was commissioned in the late 1890s by the Ann T. Hunter Chapter Auxiliary of the Raphael Semmes  Camp 11 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV).  According to the city, among the funds raised by the SCV for the erection of the monument were donations of dimes by the children of the city.

Also, according to  a 1991 Mobile Bay Monthly article, the SCV camp also oversaw fundraising for  renovation projects to it.

Mobile City Councilwoman Bess Rich said for the statue to return for public display in the city "was not achievable" but she wanted them to have a say in what happens to it next.

The mayor said the statue was removed to prevent it from being destroyed in a future demonstration, in other words, it was removed for "public safety."

The city was fined $25,000 by the state as the removal went against the Confederate Monument Protection Law.  The city has thirty days now to pay the fine.

The pedestal on which the statue stood was damaged by "vandalism" during a June 1st demonstration in Mobile.  Three days later, in the deep of the night, the statue was removed by the mayor's order.

--Old B-R'er