Statue Honoring 'Faithful Slaves' Sued in Class-Action Lawsuit

The Legal Battle Over a Confederate Monument in North Carolina

A federal lawsuit has been filed in Columbia, North Carolina, targeting a Confederate monument located outside a courthouse. This monument features an inscription that includes the phrase "IN APPRECIATION OF OUR FAITHFUL SLAVES." The lawsuit is seeking to have this specific part of the inscription either removed or covered up.

Sherryreed Robinson, one of the individuals involved in the lawsuit, shared her perspective with the New York Times. She recalled how the phrase "faithful slaves" made her think about the harsh realities faced by enslaved people. As an adult, she questioned whether Black individuals could truly receive justice in a place where such inscriptions are displayed.

Earlier this year, a federal judge allowed part of the lawsuit to proceed. However, Tyrrell County officials have been resistant to making any changes to the monument. They cite state monument protection laws that they claim prevent them from altering the structure.

This legal challenge comes at a time when there has been a resurgence of interest in Confederate monuments and names. President Donald Trump and his administration have taken steps to restore Confederate names and monuments after many were removed during racial justice protests in 2020. For example, Trump pushed for the military to restore Confederate names on bases, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a Confederate sculpture to be re-installed at Arlington National Cemetery.

The lawsuit in North Carolina was initiated last year by the Concerned Citizens of Tyrrell County, which is composed mainly of older Black residents. Their argument is that the "faithful slave" portion of the inscription constitutes racial discrimination in government speech, violating the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. They are asking the county to remove or cover the offensive message.

In 2024, Tyrrell County officials attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that they cannot alter the monument due to a state law that restricts changes to objects of remembrance on state property. A motion filed by the county stated that the North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled that county commissioners are bound by this statute and that their decisions are not motivated by discriminatory intent.

The statue, which was erected during the Jim Crow era following the U.S. Civil War, was gifted to the county by the Tyrell Monument Association. Founded by former Confederate Army lieutenant colonel William Fessenden Beasley, the monument has stood on the courthouse lawn since 1902. It depicts a Confederate soldier standing on a base that includes a bust of General Robert E. Lee. Each side of the base has inscriptions, one of which references "faithful slaves."

Mark Snell Brickhouse, whose great-great-grandfather’s name is among those etched on the monument, visits the site and the family cemetery because it honors his family. However, he acknowledges that the "faithful slave" portion may be offensive to some people. He believes the statue should remain as it reflects history, but the offensive words should be covered.

The Concerned Citizens of Tyrrell County had previously tried to have the statue removed in the 1990s, but they have since shifted their focus to only addressing the reference to slaves. Ian Mance, a lawyer with Emancipate North Carolina, noted that the Tyrrell County Courthouse monument is unique in its direct endorsement of slavery. He emphasized that this is the only known Confederate monument at a courthouse with such language.

Mance also clarified that the lawsuit is not seeking damages. Instead, it aims to address the issue of historical representation and the impact of such monuments on the community. The legal battle continues as both sides present their arguments, highlighting the ongoing debate over how history is remembered and represented in public spaces.