The City of San Francisco is evaluating roughly 100 monuments to determine whether they should be removed, relocated, or re-interpreted due to not aligning with the city's values. This initiative was sparked by the removal of the 'Early Days' sculpture in 2018 and gained momentum during the racial-justice movement in 2020 following George Floyd's murder.
Key Points
Initiated by the removal of the 'Early Days' sculpture in 2018
Gained momentum in 2020 during the racial-justice movement post George Floyd's murder
Statues of figures like Ulysses S. Grant, St. Junipero Serra, and Francis Scott Key were also targeted for removal
Commission established by Mayor London Breed to study and recommend actions regarding statues and monuments
Pros
Aligning public monuments with the city's current values
Recognizing and addressing historical representations that may be offensive or inappropriate
Cons
Controversy and debate surrounding the removal or re-interpretation of historical monuments