According to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation the Black woman on Henry Ward Beecher’s statue is supposed to represent “abolitionism."  Not only is she without name, wearing threadbare clothing, but she is also looking toward Beecher while placing a palm frond at his feet. Her position, and what she signifies are overtly white supremacist representations of Beecher's legacy.

Rather than remind the public of a historically important person or movement for freedom,  the monument seems to memorialize a racist view of the 19th century. Not to mention, the statue's presence is made more disturbing by its place in Columbus Park and its proximity to the Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse. 

In actuality, the name of the park and the monument at its center recall deeply traumatic moments in history for Black and Indigenous people - moments from which we have yet to recover. The name of this park and the presence of this monument do not help us along the path to restorative justice. They further narratives of white supremacy and domination, rather than memorialize what is good about the landmass we share and the people who have inhabited it.

Vote YES to remove the statue of Henry Ward Beecher, and to rename Columbus Park.