Protesters pull down controversial obelisk in Santa Fe plaza [View all]
Source: KRQE
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Santa Fe crews are at the Plaza cleaning up what’s left of the obelisk protestors tore down. A protest at the Santa Fe Plaza got tense on Monday afternoon with protestors toppling the obelisk. It comes after three days of protests, where some chained themselves to the controversial monument; The obelisk has stood there since the 1800s.
“Whether we like it or not history it’s history and any nation that forgets its past has no future,” said Curtis Valdez of Santa Fe.
City workers were constructing a barrier around it Monday to protect it but protestors managed to wrap ropes around it and rip it down. Video from the Santa Fe New Mexican shows no police on-site as protestors took over. Witnesses told the New Mexican that police were there earlier in the day to forcibly remove demonstrators who were laying on the monument but they left. This comes after a three-day occupation at the Plaza, protestors angry that this obelisk still stands.
It was erected in 1866 to honor Civil War-era soldiers who died in battle. It’s been criticized for being oppressive to Native Americans. Earlier this year, Mayor Alan Webber ordered the obelisk removed, it was too heavy, so only the plaque was removed. The mayor promised further discussion on its future. Monday on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, these protestors supporting Native Americans took drastic measures. Some people applaud the move, others are angry.
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Read more: https://www.krqe.com/news/protests/controversial-obelisk-in-santa-fe-plaza-torn-down/
The monument honored Confederate traitors as well as Union soldiers. Glad to see it gone. We’re remembering the past and rejecting the Whitewash.
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