Take Down ‘Racist’ Theodore Roosevelt Statue, Activists Tell New York Museum

Theodore Roosevelt campaigns for president in 1904. ‘The statue is seen as an affront to all who pass it on entering the museum, but especially to African and Native Americans.’ PHOTO: AP

Protesters gather at the American Museum of Natural History to demand the removal of the statue and issue an urgent call to rename Columbus Day

By Mazin Sidahmed | 11 October 2016

THE GUARDIAN — Hundreds of activists gathered at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday to take down the “racist” statue of Theodore Roosevelt and an urgent call to rename Columbus Day.

More than 200 people cheered outside the museum as activists covered the statue of Roosevelt on horseback flanked by an African American and Native American on either side and demanded it be ultimately removed.

“A stark embodiment of the white supremacy that Roosevelt himself espoused and promoted,” the group explained in a statement. “The statue is seen as an affront to all who pass it on entering the museum, but especially to African and Native Americans.”

Activists from the groups NYC Stands with Standing Rock and Decolonize This Place organized the protest to draw attention to the museum’s encouragement of racist tropes, and implored New York City to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. […]

1 Comment on Take Down ‘Racist’ Theodore Roosevelt Statue, Activists Tell New York Museum

Post a Comment

Winter Watch

Discover more from Winter Watch

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading