The ceremony included a mass of schoolchildren dressed in red, white, and blue making a formation of a Confederate flag, and a speech by then-Louisiana Governor Jared Y. Sanders Sr., followed by the children singing "Dixie".

[8] By decision of the New Orleans City Council in December 2015, the statue was ordered to be removed[9] and stored in a warehouse until another location was found.

[10] Pro-monument supporters bearing Confederate flags and open-carrying firearms, surrounded the monument for weeks.

[13][14] The New Orleans local chapter of the Green Party of Louisiana issued a statement in support of the removal.

[17] Those removing the statue wore masks and helmets to hide their identities and the company name on their truck was hidden.