Philadelphia: Early hours on Wednesday, the city without the need of courtesy removed the controversial statue of the former mayor Frank Rizzo, who was a police commissioner, and conservative icon in the states. However, the local news reporters were represent at the scene when the massive artwork was being rigged predawn hours, with straps on from its base in front of the main entrance to the Municipal Services Building across the street from City Hall. The Statue is then taken away to an unannounced location, as per the reports.
Mayor Jim Kenney has for the last three years had pleaded to move the Rizzo statute to another location. Since 2017, the calls for the removal of the Rizzo statue have intensified, the idea was kicked off by a national reasoning over monuments to Confederate figure. Mayor Kenney’s administration announced the statue would be moved sometime on 2021 as per the reports, with the reconstruction of Thomas Paine Plaza.
The timeline spectrum between George Floyd’s death and the removal of the statue accelerated in the past few days as the protests intensified. During Saturday’s protests, the statue was graffitied upon, and protestors attempted to set it on fire. The statue was cleaned in the early hours of Sunday, which sparked criticism that such controversial icon was given priority over other damage around Center City.
On Monday, The Mayor Jim Kennedy at a news conference had this to say, “I never liked it. I can’t wait to see it go away,” mayor confirmed to have the statue removed later this month.
Brian Heiss, 35, learned about the removal of the statue on Twitter from a TV reporter, stopped to take pictures of the historic scene.
The statue represented bigotry, hatred, and oppression for too many people, for too long. It is finally gone. pic.twitter.com/30f2Skpqog
— Jim #StayHomePHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) June 3, 2020
“I was thrilled. I think the statue being removed is a great thing, It’s a nice gesture. But the systematic racism and systemic injustice that it represents is what the voices out here are pushing for. I think we can end that horrible system that’s been plaguing this city for decades if we keep our voices united.” Heiss said.
Heiss also participated in the protest on Saturday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, he said, “I think the statue will wind up in South Philly where a lot of folks really loved him down there, if that’s where it does end up, the statue will still be divisive.”
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
