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Harriet Tubman monument replacing a Christopher Columbus statue in Newark is 'poetic,' mayor says
The Mayor of Newark says replacing the Christopher Columbus statue with a monument of Harriet Tubman is "poetic."
Per CBS News, Mayor Ras Baraka spoke about the new sculpture of the famous abolitionist that will replace Columbus' old spot in Washington Park in a recent interview on Friday, June 18.
Per the above publication, Baraka stated: "I think it's a little better than what we envisioned. I think that it's going to turn out to be something great."
He continued: "Harriet Tubman actually stepped foot here in this property, Christopher Columbus did not.
"So, it seems more appropriate to have a statue of Harriet Tubman and talk about the abolitionists' work that went on that most people in New Jersey don't even know [...] fighting against a system that was trying to allow slavery in this state."
Newark city council commissioned Nina Cooke John to design the circular monument, which has been named 'Shadow of a Face.'
It features a ceramic-based mosaic of Tubman's face along with text marking the history of the Underground Railroad and the safe houses throughout the state of New Jersey, to debut in the summer of 2022.
Per CBS, John commented on her design in a news release by stating: "As a woman, a Black woman, and mother of three girls, I am delighted to bring my memorial for Harriet Tubman to life in Newark.
"My design creates a welcoming space for people to connect with Tubman as well as interact and reflect on their own liberation from whatever weight they might be carrying. This is a monument for the community and by the community."
This comes not long after a 700-pound bronze sculpture of George Floyd was erected outside Newark city hall. Per CBS News, Barak commented on the significance of the statue in a ceremony held on Wednesday, June 16, stating:
"All of the activity that took place around this country because of the untimely and vicious murder of George Floyd, and all the activism that sparked out of it, is worth us pausing and paying attention to."
Watts stated: "The world needed a peaceful George. The world needed him relaxed and chilling on a bench and that's what we produced and we produced him larger than life.
"Because after death, George will be remembered; and that's what memorials are. It's to remember and never forget why we changed today and tomorrow and for the rest of our existence on this planet."