Statue of George Floyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of George Floyd |
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The statue in 2021
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| Artist | Stanley Watts |
| Year | 2021 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | George Floyd |
| Weight | 700 pounds (320 kg) |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 40°43′54″N 74°10′26″W / 40.7318°N 74.1740°W | |
A special bronze statue honors George Floyd, an African-American man whose death in 2020 sparked important conversations and protests about justice and equality. This statue was created by artist Stanley Watts and was first shown to the public in 2021. You can find it outside the City Hall in Newark, New Jersey, a city in the United States. It stands in an area known as Government Center.
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The George Floyd Statue in Newark
This section explores the details and history of the bronze statue honoring George Floyd. It is a significant piece of public art in Newark, New Jersey.
What Does the Statue Look Like?
The statue is made of bronze and weighs about 700 pounds (around 317 kilograms). It shows George Floyd sitting calmly on a bench. The artist, Stanley Watts, explained that he wanted to create a "peaceful George." This means he wanted the statue to show a calm and thoughtful side of George Floyd, encouraging people to reflect on peace and understanding.
The Story Behind the Statue
The idea for this statue came from Leon Pickney, who asked Stanley Watts to create it. Before finding its permanent home, the statue was briefly displayed at the Faison Firehouse Theater in Harlem, New York.
The statue was then given as a gift to the city of Newark. It was officially placed outside Newark City Hall on Juneteenth in 2021. Juneteenth is a very important day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It was planned for the statue to remain at this location for at least one year, and it has been there since its installation in 2021, serving as a lasting memorial.
See Also
- Black Lives Matter art
- List of public art in Newark, New Jersey
- Memorials to George Floyd
