Statue of Frank Rizzo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Frank Rizzo |
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| Frank L. Rizzo Monument | |
Statue of former Mayor Frank Rizzo that formerly stood in front of the Municipal Services Building in Center City Philadelphia
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| Year | 1998 |
| Medium | Bronze sculpture |
| Subject | Frank Rizzo |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
A statue of Frank Rizzo, also known as the Frank L. Rizzo Monument, was once located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This bronze sculpture was put up in 1998. It was taken down in June 2020 after many people protested its presence. The statue was removed during a time when many protests were happening across the country.
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Understanding Frank Rizzo's Role
Frank Rizzo was a well-known figure in Philadelphia. He served as both the city's police commissioner and later as its mayor. During his time in public office, he made many decisions that were important for the city.
Rizzo's Policies and Public Opinion
As mayor, Rizzo's policies were sometimes seen as unfair by many people. For example, some of his actions regarding schools and housing caused disagreements. There were also concerns about how the police treated people during his time as commissioner and mayor. These concerns were even written about in a newspaper series that won a special award. Some of his public statements were also seen as divisive by many groups.
The Statue's History
The statue of Frank Rizzo was placed on its base on December 30, 1998. It was officially shown to the public on January 1, 1999.
Creating the Statue
A crowd of about 150 people gathered to hear speeches when the statue was unveiled. The artist, Zenos Frudakis, designed the statue to show Rizzo walking forward with his hand raised in a friendly greeting. At the time it was put up, news reports focused on the statue's design. They did not mention the past disagreements about Rizzo's time in office.
Why the Statue Was Removed
Over the years, many people felt that the statue of Frank Rizzo represented a difficult time in Philadelphia's history. They believed it honored someone whose actions had caused pain and division for some communities.
Public Protests and Removal
Because of these strong feelings, many people protested and asked for the statue to be taken down. In June 2020, during a period of widespread protests, the city decided to remove the statue. This decision was made to address the concerns of many residents and to promote healing in the community. The statue was carefully taken down from its spot in front of the Municipal Services Building.
