On Friday, June 19, 2020 a mob of protesters vandalized Golden Gate Park and toppled multiple statues.  This group originally was going to remove a statue of Christopher Columbus from Coit Tower, but when the City preemptively removed that statue they sought a new target. The target was Father Junipero Serra, however they also set their sights on a statue of Francis Scott Key, lyricist of the Star Spangled Banner, and President Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the victorious Union Army in the American Civil War.

The irony of the toppling of the Grant statue is that without his efforts the Confederacy could have won the Civil War, which would have continued the abhorrent institution of slavery.  This vandalism took place on Juneteenth, a holiday that may have never been had Grant not defeated the rebels.

In order for President Grant's statue to be reinstalled the City will require a political process which will take years. This is not necessary, the City can do the right thing and reinstall the statue of U.S. Grant immediately. 

Please join me in urging the SF Arts Commission, Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to restore the statue of Ulysses S. Grant.