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 |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 40°43′54″N 74°10′26″W / 40.7318°N 74.1740°W | |
A bronze statue of George Floyd (1973–2020) was created by Stanley J. Watts. George Floyd was an African-American man who died in a tragic event involving a police officer in Minneapolis. This important statue was finished and shown to the public in 2021. You can find it outside Newark, New Jersey's City Hall.
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About the George Floyd Statue
This statue is made of bronze and weighs about 700 pounds. It is sculpted to be larger than a real person. The statue shows George Floyd sitting calmly on a bench. The artist, Stanley Watts, said he wanted the statue to show a peaceful image of George. He felt that "The world needed a peaceful George."
History of the George Floyd Statue
A person named Leon Pickney asked for this statue to be made. Before it came to Newark, the statue was briefly shown in Harlem, New York, at the Faison Firehouse Theater. The statue was then given as a gift to the city of Newark. It was put in its current spot on Juneteenth in 2021. It is planned to stay there for at least one year.
Vandalism Incidents
Sadly, the statue was damaged a few days after it was put up. This happened on the night of June 24. Someone painted the face of the statue black. They also painted the name of a hate group on its body. Workers from the Newark Public Works Department quickly cleaned off the paint. The statue was damaged again in October 2021 by a 37-year-old actor.
More to Explore
- Black Lives Matter art
- List of public art in Newark, New Jersey
- Memorials to George Floyd
