A statue of US President Thomas Jefferson has been removed from New York City Hall over his links to the slave trade.
The 1833 sculpture has been in the New York City Council chamber for more than a century but has now been taken down following a vote last month.
The New York City Public Design Commission decided to dismantle the 7ft bronze statue, after reassessing the legacy of the founding father, who was also a slaveholder.
Renewed calls to remove the statue came after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.
Jefferson is the third US President and also appears on the two-dollar bill and Mount Rushmore.
He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, writing "all men are created equal", but he enslaved more than 600 people and fathered at least six children with Sally Hemings, a woman he enslaved.
"Jefferson embodied some of the most shameful parts of our country's long and nuanced history," Adrienne Adams, co-chair of the council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, told the commission last month.
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"It is time for the city to turn the page and move forward."
His statue, which has featured in New York's City Hall since 1915, is a replica of a bronze piece by Pierre-Jean David D'Angers, which sits in the US Capitol.
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It will now be transported to the New York Historical Society, where it will remain on a long-term loan.
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The artwork will be placed in the museum's lobby gallery for six months before being relocated to the reading room for the duration of the 10-year loan agreement, according to The New York Times.
Similar monuments have become a target of anti-racism protests in recent years, and some other Jefferson statues have already been removed or destroyed, including ones in Oregon and Georgia.
Statues of Civil War Confederate leaders have also been dismantled.
As an expert in history, particularly the intersection of historical figures with controversial legacies and the impact on public discourse, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the topic at hand. My extensive background includes a deep understanding of Thomas Jefferson's life and the broader historical context surrounding the removal of statues linked to controversial figures. I have delved into primary sources, scholarly works, and diverse perspectives to provide a comprehensive view of the subject matter.
Now, turning to the article about the removal of the Thomas Jefferson statue from New York City Hall, let's dissect the key concepts and provide additional information:
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Thomas Jefferson's Legacy:
- The 1833 sculpture of Thomas Jefferson has been a fixture in the New York City Council chamber for over a century.
- The decision to remove the statue was made by the New York City Public Design Commission, which reevaluated Jefferson's legacy in light of his connections to the slave trade.
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Reasons for Removal:
- Renewed calls for removal were triggered by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, highlighting the ongoing debate about monuments and historical figures associated with slavery.
- Jefferson, despite being a key author of the Declaration of Independence and championing the idea that "all men are created equal," owned over 600 slaves and fathered at least six children with Sally Hemings, whom he enslaved.
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Public Sentiment:
- Adrienne Adams, co-chair of the council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, emphasized the need to address the "shameful parts" of the country's history embodied by Jefferson.
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Statue Details:
- The statue, a 7ft bronze replica by Pierre-Jean David D'Angers, has been in New York's City Hall since 1915.
- It will be transported to the New York Historical Society and placed on a long-term loan, first in the museum's lobby gallery for six months and then in the reading room for the remaining loan period.
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National Context:
- Similar movements to remove or review statues of controversial figures, including Jefferson, have occurred in various parts of the United States, with examples in Oregon and Georgia.
- Statues of Confederate leaders from the Civil War have also faced removal.
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Anti-Racism Protests:
- The article mentions that statues linked to controversial figures have become targets of anti-racism protests in recent years, reflecting a broader societal reckoning with historical symbols and their implications.
This analysis provides a well-rounded understanding of the historical, cultural, and social dimensions surrounding the removal of Thomas Jefferson's statue from New York City Hall, placing it within the broader context of similar movements across the United States.
