SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An eight-foot-tall bronze statue of a late Native American leader known for preserving cultural dances now stands surrounded by trees in a historic park outside of California's state Capitol building, replacing a statue of a Spanish missionary that protesters toppled it in 2020.
“Finally, the California Indian people will have a monument here on the Capitol grounds for all those visiting to know that we are still here,” said Assemblymember James C. Ramos, the first Native American in the state Legislature.
Newsom has also signed laws to promote the teaching of more Native American history in schools and to remove a derogatory slur from sites across the state.
The new statue comes after racial justice protesters in 2020 tore down a decades-old statue of Junípero Serra, an 18th century Catholic priest and missionary who has been criticized for destroying Native American tribes and cultures.
Montana also passed a law in 2019 to install a monument on state Capitol grounds to recognize the contributions of Native Americans.
Persons:
William J, Franklin, ”, Assemblymember James C, Ramos, “, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, Junípero Serra, Serra, Robert E, Lee, Charlottesville , Virginia —, George Floyd's, Jesus Tarango, ” Tarango, Robert Rivas, Andrew Franklin, Grandpa Bill ”, “ We've, ___ Sophie Austin, @sophieadanna
Organizations:
Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America
Locations:
SACRAMENTO, Calif, California's, Spanish, California, Sr, American, Charlottesville , Virginia, Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento County, Montana, Sacramento . Franklin, Southern California