In the wake of George Floyd’s death, protests erupted across Mississippi to demand an end to police brutality. In Columbus, protesters asked the county government to remove a Confederate monument from the Lowndes County Courthouse lawn. In response to their request, County Supervisor Harry Sanders made racist remarks, saying African Americans have been “dependent” since slavery. His statement sparked outrage, leading to weeks of protests demanding Sanders’ resignation, along with the removal of the monument. Since Sanders’ remarks were published, the supervisors have voted to remove the Confederate monument. Amid this unrest, the state voted to remove the Confederate emblem from the Mississippi flag. Harry Sanders remains in his county supervisor position.
Protesters raise their fists during the Starkville Stand Up Justice March on Saturday, June 6, 2020 in downtown Starkville. The march began at Unity Park and protesters walked 1.5 miles through downtown Starkville to the Mississippi State Amphitheater, where there was a rally.
Protesters walk east down University Drive during the Starkville Stand Up Justice March on Saturday, June 6, 2020 in downtown Starkville. The march began at 10 a.m. at Unity Park but people began gathering at least an hour before then.
Signs, water bottles and a cellphone are scattered on the grass as people listen to speakers during the Starkville Stand Up Justice March on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at the Mississippi State Amphitheater. Organizers of the march set up shade tents with fans and volunteers passed out water bottles in an effort to keep everyone cool.
Ciera Presley closes her eyes in prayer at the end of the Starkville Stand Up Justice March on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at the Mississippi State Amphitheater. The march was organized by the nonprofit Starkville Stand Up, which serves to be “a unified voice for Starkville citizens that stand up against systemic racism and the unjust killing of black people by police officers,” according to a post on their Facebook page.
A statue honoring confederate soldiers stands in the background during the Jesus and Justice Rally on Sunday, June 7, 2020 in Columbus. Bishop Scott Volland pointed out the statue when he spoke at the rally, referring to it as “repulsive,” and people cheered loudly in agreement with him.
Protesters arrive at the Lowndes County Courthouse during the Jesus and Justice Rally on Sunday, June 7, 2020 in Columbus. Community leaders marched at the front of the group and carried three wooden crosses during the march. They took turns carrying the crosses to symbolize sharing the burden of racism and sharing the fight against it.
The Lowndes County Courthouse is reflected in Cycelia Matthews’s sunglasses during a Kingdom Vision International Church worship service on Sunday, June 7, 2020. People gathered in front of the courthouse again later in the day for the Jesus and Justice Rally, which was also organized by Kingdom Vision International Church.
Flex Little points to a sign posted on a Confederate monument that reads “Take it down!” during a protest demanding Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders’ resignation on Wednesday, June 17 on the Lowndes County Courthouse lawn. Both District 41 Rep. Kabir Karriem and District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks said during the protest that Sanders has exhibited “bigotry and elitism” throughout his term.
Supervisors pray before starting their meeting on Monday, August 3 at the Lowndes County Courthouse in Columbus. District 5 County Supervisor Leroy Brooks stands in the corner of the room instead of at the table as an act of protest against District 1 County Supervisor Harry Sanders and the racist remarks he made about African Americans on June 15.
District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders listens as Bishop Scott Volland asks the county to consider removing a Confederate monument from the courthouse lawn during a board of supervisors meeting on Monday at the Lowndes County Courthouse. Sanders proposed that instead of relocating the statue, they compromise by adding onto the monument to address slavery. Later, Volland said that what Sanders didn’t realize is that relocating the statue already was compromising.
Protesters march through the streets during the Equality and Justice March on Saturday, August 1 in Columbus. About 60 people gathered to continue to demand Lowndes County District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders’ resignation in response to racist remarks he made on June 15 after a supervisors meeting.
From left, Malachi Turner, 8, Mary Shinn and Demarius Shinn, 10, hold signs during a protest demanding District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders’s resignation on Tuesday, June 30 outside the Lowndes County Courthouse. The crowd began at the front of the courthouse and then walked to the back entrance that the county supervisors use.
Sweat pours down District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks’ face during a protest demanding District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders’s resignation on Tuesday, June 30 outside the Lowndes County Courthouse. “We will live as one community or we will perish as two, but we’re not scared,” Brooks said in his speech to the crowd after the meeting.
Rev. Ron Houston thanks other community faith leaders for uniting together to demand County Supervisor Harry Sanders’ resignation on Monday, August 3 outside the Lowndes County Courthouse in Columbus. Houston spoke during the meeting while others stood behind him to show support.
Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins unclips the state flag- which displays the Confederate battle emblem in its left corner- while Lt. Rhonda Sanders holds it on Monday, June 29 afternoon at the Lowndes County Courthouse. The Senate voted 37-14 to retire the flag and the House voted 91-23 on Sunday.
Ethel Stewart and Johnny Stewart chant during a protest demanding District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders’ resignation on Monday, July 6 outside the Lowndes County Courthouse. Ethel is on the Columbus City Council for Ward 1.
From left, Julie Richards and Stephanie Williams hug each other during a protest demanding Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders’ resignation on Wednesday, June 17 on the Lowndes County Courthouse lawn. Richards and Williams met six years ago when their sons played soccer together and they’ve been friends ever since.
