To quote Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, who represents House District 84 in the Montana Legislature, in the Helena Independent Record from August 15th, 2017, "This fountain needs to go. It fans the flames of hatred and represents deep, hurtful prejudice. We must not jeopardize public safety or social justice in the name of historic preservation. Two years ago, when the Helena City Commission made the thoughtful decision and compromised to erect a sign with an historical explanation of the fountain, it was a different time. Today, in this time, with hateful and bigoted rhetoric coming from the White House that invites unrest and violence, we need to take a stand and act. Historic preservation does not mean continuing to display symbols of regretful past wrongs. Please act to denounce the hate and lovingly remove this relic of past discrimination."