Bust of George Washington stirs up debate in Watsonville

Video Credit: KSBW
Published on July 31, 2020 - Duration: 01:22s

Bust of George Washington stirs up debate in Watsonville

Local activists say the statue represents slavery and oppression of Indigenous people like the Ohlone.


Bust of George Washington stirs up debate in Watsonville

A BUST OF FOUNDINGFATHER GEORGEWASHINGTON ISSTIRRING UP HEATEDDEBATE IN WATSONVILLETHE STATUE WHICHHAS CALLED CITY PLAZAPARK IN DOWNTOWNWATSONVILLE ITS HOMEFOR NEARLY TWENTYYEARS HAS DRAWNSCRUTINY FROM A GROUPOF LOCAL ACTIVISTSCALLING THEMSELVESREVOLUNAS.THEY SAY THE STATUEREPRESENTS SLAVERYAND OPPRESION OFINDIGINOUS PEOPLE LIKETHE OHLONE.THEY WANT IT TAKENDOWN.AN OPPOSING GROUPOF LOCAL VETERANS ANDCOMMUNITY MEMBERSSAY NO WAY..THE STATUE WAS THEPART OF A DONATIONFROM THE ESTATE OFLLOYD ALGALA.ALGALA ALSODONATED TWO HUNDREDTHOUSAND DOLLARSTOWARDS THERESTORATION OF THEPARK FOUNTAIN AS WELLAS HELP FUND THE CITYLIBRARY.I CONSIDER THAT PARK A PART OFOURHISTORYHISTORY WHETHER ITS GOOD OR BADYOU HAVE TO PRESERVE IT HAVINGSOMETHING THAT REMINDS YOU OFWHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST ISVERYIMPORTANT TO ME ANYWAY AND TOTHE PEOPLE OF WATSONVILLESOLANO ANDSUPPORTERS PLAN TOGATHER SIGNATURES FORTHEIR PETITIONTOMORROW AT THEFARMERS MARKET INWATSONVILLE.THE WATSONVILLEPARKS AND RECDEPARTMENT WILL HOSTA VIRTUAL MEETINGMONDAY AT 6-30 P-M FORCOMMUNITY INPUT.MORE INFORMATIONAND THE AGENDA CAN BEFOUND ON THEWATSONVILLE CITYWEBSITE.

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