Statue of Junípero Serra (Sacramento, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Junípero Serra |
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| Artist | Maurice Loriaux |
| Year | 1967 |
| Subject | Junípero Serra |
| Condition | in storage |
| Location | California State Capitol Museum, Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Owner | California State Parks |
A statue of Junípero Serra used to stand in Capitol Park in Sacramento, California. This park is located near the California State Capitol building. The statue was put in place in 1967. It remained there until 2020, when it was taken down.
The Junípero Serra Statue
The statue honored Junípero Serra, a Spanish missionary. He lived a long time ago, in the 1700s. Serra helped create many missions in California. These missions were like settlements or churches.
Why Was the Statue Removed?
In 2020, people protested for racial justice. During these protests, some demonstrators pulled down the statue. They felt that Junípero Serra's actions had harmed Native American people. They believed the statue did not represent California's values today. After it was toppled, the statue was moved to a storage facility. It is now kept by the California State Capitol Museum.
What Will Replace the Statue?
In August 2021, lawmakers in California made a decision. They passed a bill to replace the statue. This new monument will honor local Indigenous nations. Indigenous nations are the original people who lived in California. The bill needs the governor's approval to become a law. If it becomes law, a new monument will be built in Capitol Park. It will celebrate the history and culture of California's first peoples.
