Push for civil rights monuments in local community

image courtesy of UCMP’s Facebook page

In recent years, the twin communities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor have proven themselves to be alive with local activists and grassroots organizations committed to making civil rights advancements in the area. As Black History Month begins, many local activists are using the momentum of the national tradition to effect positive change in the community, and these can range from marches to seminars for black business owners. Of these, one of the most successful and long running organizations is the Union Civic Monuments Project, which is working to erect four statues commemorating civil rights leaders across St. Joseph and Benton Harbor by 2023.

The designs plan for two statues in each city, one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and one of a figure important to the respective city’s history. Originally embarked on by Emmanuel and Sharon Brown of the African American History & Literature Gallery in Benton Harbor, the movement to erect MLK statues in the area has been 16 years in the making. 

“One of the goals is to diversify the landscape of monuments locally,” Grace Kelmer, a director at Lake Michigan College and an organizer behind the project, said. “We feel it is important for all members of a community to feel represented by these permanent tributes to history.”

As symbolically important as the statues may be, the project also recognizes that change must come about through more than just monuments. The organization is also working to implement school curriculum and other publicly available educational resources to accompany the monuments.  

While the movement has been very successful thus far, they are still in need of support from individual community members. 

“We need you!” Kelmer said. “This group is run by volunteers of all ages. If you agree that now is the time for social justice, we would love to have you participate by offering suggestions, donating to receive a t-shirt, volunteering, or however else you see your skills and passions furthering this mission.”