On June 2nd, 2020, Project Say Something sent a letter to the County Commission of Lauderdale County, Alabama requesting the relocation of the Confederate monument from the Lauderdale County Courthouse to Soldier’s Rest in the Florence City Cemetery. The statue was initially erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in downtown Florence in 1903 to promote and support the false and revisionist "Lost Cause" narrative of the Civil War and the racism the narrative embraced. In 1965 it was moved to its current location where it remains a symbol of centuries worth of systemic racism, oppression, and violence imposed on Black Americans. Concerned citizens of Lauderdale County recognize that it is unacceptable that such a monument stand on Courthouse property and for over a month have peacefully and respectfully attempted to navigate the proper channels of local government to move forward with relocation. In the 35 days since this request the Lauderdale County Commission, under the leadership of Commission Chairman Danny Pettus, has thrice refused to add the monument removal to the agenda of the Commission's regularly scheduled meetings. Chairman Pettus has shown incompetence and  willful neglect of his duties concerning the scope and function of his position on the County Commission and their meetings in regards to the Commission's ability to address community concerns and make motions to attend to those requests. He continues to actively prevent any headway on the most basic bureaucratic level in regards to even official discussion of removal and relocation. 

• He has replied to constituents’ correspondence voicing their desire to have the monument removal brought to vote before the Commission with outright refusal, attempts to deny the Commission's abilities, and blatant lies regarding the broad public opinion of the monument removal. 
• During the public comment portion of the aforementioned Commission Meetings, he has shown great prejudice and disrespect towards Camille Bennett, Founder and Executive Director of Project Say Something, and other community members who spoke on behalf of relocation of the monument. 
• His only response when asked to call an emergency special session for relocation after being forwarded evidence of multiple threats of violence and death received by the community was, "No emergency." 
• His refusal to add the monument to meeting agendas has denied the County Commission the opportunity to vote on a resolution releasing the City of Florence from responsibility to damages should the City move the statue. 
• He has publicly responded via social media to a Yellowhammer News article titled “Lauderdale County GOP pushes back against county, city ‘cowardly’ efforts to remove Downtown Florence Confederate statue” with the comment, “This article is false . The Lauderdale County Commission has never, and will not, work on a plan to remove the Confederate Statue.”

His interactions over the course of the past weeks have been deceitful, unethical, and decidedly unbecoming behavior for an elected official. It has been made absolutely clear that Mr. Pettus sees no reason to act on behalf of certain members of his constituency nor does he have any intent to take responsibility for his inaction. At this point in history, it is unconscionable and unacceptable for an elected officer to deny the rights and requests of his constituents towards correcting an historic blight on Lauderdale County property. For these reasons it has become appropriate and vitally necessary to petition for Commission Chairman Danny Pettus’ resignation from the Lauderdale County Commission, effective immediately.