Petition circulating to remove Washington statue in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) Watsonville resident could soon be losing a statue of America's first president if one group of activists gets its way.
A bust of President George Washington currently sits in the city plaza across from the Wells Fargo just down the street from city hall. It has been there since 2001.
Activists say public property is no place for someone they are calling the "epitome of white supremacy." The group Revolunas says Washington's ties to slavery and the oppression of indigenous peoples disqualify him to be honored in a city plaza meant for all people to enjoy.
They are calling for the removal of his statue on city property, saying on its petition page, Washington's likeness is a "blatant display of racism and white supremacy standing so boldly in Downtown Watsonville."
In a direct statement sent to KION over email, Revolunas argues "it's inappropriate to have a statue of a slave owning colonizer. When the US declared independence from Great Britain under the pretense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - that did not include women, black, or indigenous people."
Now, organizers are circulating a change.org petition calling for the removal of Washington's bust. It has already gained almost a thousand signatures and the attention of the city.
"We have received some of the concerns from community members regarding the statue's placement in the plaza," said Matt Huffaker, the Watsonville City Manager.
The city is taking the concerns seriously, placing the question of removal before the Parks and Recreation Commission in August to allow for community.
"George Washington holds a very I think prestigious title as first president. And I believe that if he condoned or used slavery, it was a result of the times," said
Martha Gonzalez, who works in Watsonville.
Others believe Washington should be honored as a Founding Father of the nation and that tearing down history would be wrong.
"Generally, I feel that they're pieces of history, whether they're positive or negative, let them be. But present the true history," said Gonzalez.
The city says should enough voices call for the removal of the statue, staff could recommend to do so to the city council, who would then take it up to a vote.
"We hear the concerns that are being raised and we think it's important that we facilitate a process for the discussion," said Huffaker.
Organizers of the petition say instead of Washington, they would like for the community to be a part of choosing who they honor in public places.
For a link to the petition, click here.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE: A petition on the website change.org is pushing to remove a bust of U.S. President George Washington from the Watsonville City Plaza area.
The organizers of the petition, a group called Revolunas, say "Washington owned 100s of Slaves during his lifetime" and that he "is the epitome of White Supremacy!"
The push comes as multiple statues and symbols of the Confederacy and other figures of American history are being called for removal across the nation in light of the recent Black Lives Matter protests.
KION's Josh Kristianto will have more from the City of Watsonville about how they're responding to the petition tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.
