NYC officials are now considering the removal of George Washington statues, as well as other monuments, Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant and Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.
The planned removal of their statues is a part of New York City's effort to establish a reparations task force, as confirmed by the New York City Council.
NYC Considers Removing George Washington Statues
Pedestrians walk around the George Washington statue in front of Federal Hall September 5, 2002 in New York City. Congress will return to its 18th century home at Federal Hall September 6, 2002 to commemorate the September 11 attacks.
Fox News reported that the city council of New York City is considering measures that could remove statues of the mentioned historical figures above. Officials will discuss these measures on Tuesday, September 19. NYC's Cultural Affairs Committee said it will hold a public hearing to remove monuments of people who benefited from slavery and directly enslaved other humans.
Statues of individuals linked to systemic crimes against indigenous people and other human rights crimes will also be taken down. CAC said that if the Public Design Commission doesn't approve the removal of these statues, then it will be required to put an explanatory plaque next to the monuments.
Aside from this, PDC will also need to coordinate with the Department of Education to install the plaques on public spaces adjacent to schools, such as sidewalks.
The upcoming public hearing will also discuss proposals that call for anti-racism training, which city employees and human services contractors should take.
Read Also: NYC Warns of Migrant Crisis' Far-Reaching Implications if Democrats Win in the Ballot
Some New Yorkers Criticize NYC's Reparations Task Force Effort
The statue of George Washington stands behind the state of John Lewis as the Immersive art organization, Confront Art, in collaboration with the NYC Parks, unveils the SEENINJUSTICE exhibit, featuring three sculptures by Chris Carnabucci: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and John Lewis, at Union Square Park in New York, on September 30, 2021.
According to The New York Post's latest report, some New Yorkers are criticizing NYC's reparations task force effort. They branded this effort as a cancel culture run amok. Among those who are against it is Columbus Heritage Coalition President Angelo Vivolo.
He argued that Columbus was once a migrant himself. Because of this, Vivolo said that he would fight any effort to remove the Italian explorer's statutes from the city parkland. Meanwhile, an NYC resident, Joann Ariola, also shared her concern, saying that the proposals are an attempt by the radical left to rewrite the country's history.
"These men all had an enormous impact on this country, and these statues commemorating their achievements have been in place for decades," added Ariola.
The New Yorker explained that the Founding Fathers and other historical figures who greatly contributed to the country's establishment should be celebrated instead of eliminated. These are just New Yorkers' statements against removing George Washington statues and other monuments. You can click this link to see more.
Related Article: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Issues Warning of 'Financial Tsunami' Amid Raging Migrant Crisis
