3 black Philadelphians whose statues should replace Frank Rizzo | Opinion
On Wednesday, under the cover of darkness, the Rizzo statue was removed from its place across from City Hall. This move came following days of peaceful marches and violent unrest that have spread across Philadelphia and around the country, provoked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
As the city rebuilds, the quest for justice and true equity for all Philadelphia residents must inform public policies — including the acquisition of public art.
The black presence in Philadelphia dates back to 1639, but the first memorial dedicated to a specific African American was not unveiled until 2017, the Octavius V. Catto Memorial: A Quest for Parity. So let me suggest three Philadelphians who are worthy of memorialization.
