Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed released a statement today saying he called for the immediate removal of a controversial race-baiting billboard in Alabama’s capital city.
The billboard in question features a photo from “Bloody Sunday,” a major civil rights event that took place just outside of Selma, Alabama. In the image, a group of black protestors face off against armed members of law enforcement with the words “Make America Great Again” superimposed over the photo.
“As soon as I was made aware of the billboard featuring a politicized image of Bloody Sunday, I immediately inquired whether it had been purchased by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts,” Reed said in a statement released Thursday morning. “Upon learning that it was, I requested that the image be removed from all billboards without delay.”
“The legacy of Bloody Sunday represents a pivotal moment in our nation’s fight for equality and justice. We must be extremely mindful of how we use such images of our shared history, especially when they risk being perceived as politically charged. Our history deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care, ensuring it unites rather than divides us as a community.”
“We will review this process to ensure that such missteps are not repeated in the future while continuing to support the important role the MMFA plays in our community.”
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts did not respond to inquiries from Yellowhammer News.
Following the fallout from the billboard, the City of Montgomery’s Cultural Affairs Department released a statement on Wednesday that said the billboard had been removed.
“Earlier this month, two billboards featuring the Museum’s logo appeared,” a statement from MMFA read. “They juxtaposed a historic photo with a political statement without context. This has caused confusion and concern.”
“The decision to place the billboards was made without the approval of Museum leadership or the Joint Boards. Once made aware of the billboards, the MMFA leadership had them immediately removed.”
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
