The Confederate Statue in the Fort Payne City Park was erected in 1913 by the Sons and Daughters of Confederate Soldiers. Its inscription is as follows:

1861 1865

To the Confederate Soldiers.

Some of whom sacrificed all, and all of whom sacrificed much.

(left side)
On fame's eternal camping ground their silent tents are spread, and glory guards with solemn round, the bivouac of the dead.

(right side)
Their names are borne on honor's shield; Their record is with God.

(rear)
Tell it as you may,
it never can be told,
sing it as you will,
it never can be sung -
The story of the glory
of the men who wore the gray.

Though the Confederate soldiers did make sacrifices, they did so for a hateful cause that does not align with Fort Payne's current beliefs and morals. The Confederate Statue in the Fort Payne City Park celebrates the men who fought for states' rights to enslave African Americans. By leaving this monument in a public park without addressing its hurtful origins, the City of Fort Payne is ignoring the issue of racial injustice in today's society. We must follow suit with the rest of the country and stop glorifying the soldiers who fought for a truly hateful purpose and instead commemorate the people who fought against racial inequality to improve the lives of all Americans. When justice finally prevails, on which side of history will Fort Payne find itself?