Statue of Junípero Serra (San Francisco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Junípero Serra |
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The statue in 2015
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| Subject | Junípero Serra |
| Location | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| 37°46′19″N 122°28′00″W / 37.77183°N 122.46657°W | |
A 30-foot tall statue of Junípero Serra stood in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. This large statue was in the U.S. state of California. It was first put up in 1907. The artist who created it was Douglas Tilden.
The statue was taken down on June 19, 2020. This happened during protests related to the death of George Floyd. It was also part of a Juneteenth celebration. The very next day, another statue of Serra was removed in Los Angeles. This one was in Father Serra Park. About sixty Native American activists were involved.
About the Statue
The statue honored Junípero Serra. He was an important figure in California's history. The statue was a tall, impressive artwork. It showed Serra standing. It was a well-known landmark in Golden Gate Park for many years.
Why the Statue Was Removed
The statue was removed during a time of widespread protests. People were speaking out about racial justice. They also protested against monuments of people linked to the harsh treatment of Native American communities.
Many people felt that statues of Junípero Serra should not be displayed. They believed he played a role in the difficult history of Native Americans in California. Protesters also removed or damaged other statues. These included statues of Francis Scott Key and Ulysses S. Grant. A statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza was also affected.
Who Was Junípero Serra?
Junípero Serra was a Spanish missionary. He lived in the 1700s. He helped set up many missions in California. These missions were religious settlements. His goal was to teach Native Californians about Catholicism.
However, Serra's work has caused much debate. Some people see him as a hero who brought Christianity to California. Others criticize his methods. They say that Native Americans were sometimes forced to convert to Catholicism. They also point to reports of mistreatment of Native American people at the missions. This is why his statues became a focus of protests.
Images for kids
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The statue in 2015
