Amid ongoing debates over public monuments, San Francisco has launched a comprehensive review of nearly 100 statues and monuments across the city.

The City of San Francisco, where presidential hopeful Kamala Harris once served as district attorney, aims to reassess -- and potentially remove -- its public monuments to ensure they reflect what leaders there say are current societal values, as Breitbart reports.

The initiative follows broader national conversations about the relevance and appropriateness of public statues. This reassessment in San Francisco was particularly influenced by the racial justice movements that gained momentum after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

In response to growing public scrutiny over symbols of historical oppression, the city has decided to undertake a thorough evaluation of its monuments. This move is part of a wider reflection across the United States on how history is represented in public spaces.

The decision was triggered by earlier events, including the 2018 removal of the "Early Days" sculpture. This statue, which depicted a Native American at the feet of a Spanish Catholic missionary, had long been a source of controversy.

Controversial Statues Spark Nationwide Debate

The national outcry reached a fever pitch in 2020, with the toppling of statues that were seen as glorifying colonial conquest and racial injustice. Notable figures whose statues faced backlash included Confederate leaders, Ulysses S. Grant, St. Junipero Serra, and Francis Scott Key.

Such actions have prompted cities across the nation to reconsider the figures they choose to honor in public spaces. San Francisco’s review seeks to address these concerns by evaluating each monument’s historical context and relevance to current values.

Mayor London Breed has played a pivotal role in orchestrating this review. Recognizing the complexities involved in such a societal revision, she established a commission to guide the process thoughtfully and inclusively.

Mayoral Commission to Oversee Monument Review

The commission set up by Breed is tasked with providing recommendations on how to handle problematic statutes. This could include removal, relocation, or the addition of new plaques to provide additional historical context.

According to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, the city is prepared to make substantial changes if necessary.

This includes the potential removal of monuments that do not align with the city’s current ethos of inclusivity and historical accuracy.

The review process is expected to be thorough, with each monument being considered on a case-by-case basis. The commission will examine the historical significance and the intent behind each statue, ensuring a balanced approach to this sensitive issue.

Racial Justice Movements Influence City Policies

The racial justice movements following George Floyd’s death have been a driving force behind the reassessment of public monuments. These movements have highlighted how statues in public spaces can perpetuate outdated or harmful narratives.

The city’s initiative is part of a broader effort to reconcile with its past and promote a more inclusive public historical narrative. By examining these monuments, San Francisco is taking a step towards addressing its historical legacies in a manner that respects all community members.

The commission’s findings and recommendations will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of San Francisco’s public spaces. The city aims to foster an environment where public art and historical monuments reflect contemporary values and the diverse histories of all its residents.

San Francisco Leads Way in Monument Reevaluation

As the process unfolds, other liberal cities might look to San Francisco as a model for handling similar controversies in their own locales. The approach taken by San Francisco could serve as a blueprint in some locales for how to deal with contentious monuments.

This initiative not only reflects what supporters say is a civic desire to correct historical narratives but also underscores the ongoing national conversation about the role of monuments in public spaces.

With the commission’s work underway, the city waits to see which monuments will remain, which will be relocated, and which will receive new interpretations through additional plaques.