A statue of Frederick Douglass was ripped from its base in Rochester on 5 July, 2020, the same day he delivered his most significant speech – “What to the slave is the fourth of July?” in Corinthian Hall, Rochester.
He was an escaped slave who became a prominent activist, author, and leader of the abolitionist movement. He worked to bring an end to slavery. He advocated for the rights of newly freed black Americans to vote and women’s rights.
Police officials said the statue was taken on 5 July, 2020 from Maplewood Park.
In a statement by Rochester police, the statue was found near the Genesee river where it “had been placed over the fence to the gorge and was leaning against the fence” on the river side. The river is about 50 feet from the pedestal.
The base and lower part of the statue was damaged. A finger of the statue’s left hand was broken.
Carvin Eison, leader of the Douglass statue project said that another statue will be placed because the damage done is too significant.
“Is this some type of retaliation because of the national fever over confederate monuments right now? Very disappointing, it’s beyond disappointing,” she adds.
“I think a lot of dummies need to LEARN about history before they try to erase it. Maybe then they would have left Fredrick Douglass’s statue alone,” said Dr. Darrell Scott.
Source: AP