Newly renovated Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park opens in Mobile
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Community leaders and members were in Mobile for a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the newly renovated downtown park honoring the legacy of Isom Clemon, a pivotal figure in the Labor and Civil Rights movements in Mobile.
Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park sits directly across from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1410 — a key meeting place during the Civil Rights era and an organization that Clemon led for many years.
Keep reading to learn more about the park + Isom Clemon’s legacy in the Port City.
Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park

Located at 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, this park has been in the works for the last decade as city leaders worked to create a “pocket park” worthy of Clemon’s name.
“This park stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. Together, we’ve created a space that honors Isom Clemon’s enduring legacy and the history of Mobile’s Civil Rights and Labor movements while also serving as a vibrant gathering place for the community. May this park inspire unity, reflection, and progress for generations to come.”
~ Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commission President
In 2016, after the City of Mobile acquired the land, the Rotary Club of Mobile and the Downtown Mobile Alliance led an effort to create a preliminary design for the park, working alongside community leaders and residents from surrounding neighborhoods. That fall, the late City Councilor Levon Manzie passed a resolution officially naming the park the “Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park.”
The new renovations cost around $1.4 million. The park now includes:
- Improved seating
- New sidewalks
- Enhanced landscaping
- New lighting
- Playground designed with input from Florence Howard Elementary School students
In addition to these enhancements, the park now features two prominent public art installations:
- A Bronze Statue of Isom Clemon: This 8-foot-9-inch bronze statue, accompanied by educational relief plaques, honors Clemon’s contributions to African American labor in Mobile and his pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement. The statue was created by Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios following a nationwide contest overseen by the Mobile Arts Council.
- The Guardian of Labor, Liberty, and Love: Created by local artists Charles Smith and Frank Ledbetter, this stainless-steel sculpture commemorates the men and women of ILA Local 1410. Drawing inspiration from African textiles and symbols, it represents the collective efforts of ILA members to gain respect for their labor, achieve true liberty, and share their love of life with all people. The sculpture was commissioned by the Rotary Club of Mobile and Main Street Mobile.
Owned and managed by the City of Mobile, the park will be an integral piece of Mobile County’s Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District.
Isom Clemon

Isom Clemon, who died in 1994, was a trailblazer in both labor and Civil Rights.
As the leader of ILA Local 1410, Clemon played a pivotal role in representing Mobile’s African American longshoremen. He was also a co-founder of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC), which helped secure African American political representation in Alabama, including the first African American delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
“Isom Clemon’s work with the ILA and the Alabama Democratic Conference demonstrated that great things happen when good people unite behind a common goal. It is fitting that this project in his honor has brought together community members, organizations, and leaders from across Mobile. My hope is that this park will keep Isom Clemon’s legacy alive and inspire future generations of Mobilians to remember that we are always stronger together.”
~ Sandy Stimpson, Mobile mayor
During the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony today, members of the Clemon family celebrated with representatives of ILA Local 1410, the Alabama Democratic Conference and the many stakeholders who helped make this project a reality.
“The family is proud that this park recognizes his legacy and honors his commitment and passion to promote civil rights for all people.”
~ Darlene Moore, daughter of Isom Clemon
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