Curiosity brought me to the base of the Confederate statue on Innes Street.

It was artistic and cultural and had historical value. A police officer, with lights on, pulled up and asked me to move on.

“I want to read the base of the statue,” I said.

“It is unsafe for you to be in the middle of the street,” he said.

At the council meeting last week, I did not hear anyone say destroy or tear the monument down. I heard them say, “It is historical; it is a part of our past.” I concur.

But it also is unfair, unjust and un-American to continue to force my brothers and sisters of color to see this every day. Moving it would at least say we recognize yesterday and we want to care today for you.

— Kim Porter 

Salisbury