Harriet Tubman monument replaces  Christopher Columbus statue in New Jersey



A monument honoring abolitionist trailblazer Harriet Tubman was unveiled in Newark, New Jersey, Thursday, replacing a long-standing statue of Christopher Columbus removed in 2020 amid the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd.

"In a time when so many cities are choosing to topple statues that limit the scope of their people’s story, we have chosen to erect a monument that spurs us into our future story of exemplary strength and solidity," Newark's Mayor Ras Baraka said in a press release.

"In a country where the overwhelming majority of monuments are testaments to white males, Newark has chosen to erect a monument to a Black woman who was barely five feet tall, but had the visage and power of a giant," Baraka also said.

The new monument, designed by New Jersey native and architect Nina Cooke John, is titled "Shadow of a Face." It honors intrepid abolitionist Harriet Tubman and the city's role in the Underground Railroad.

"Shadow of a Face celebrates both the legacy of Harriet Tubman and the lives of the people living in Newark today – connecting their story to Tubman’s story through a common bond of seekers of liberty in the past and in the present," said Cooke John.

"Her heroism is recognized, and space is claimed for her story in this historic park, while her humanity is made accessible so that we can all be empowered by her deeds both great and small."

Dignitaries, politicians, and celebrities on hand for Thursday's unveiling included Queen Latifah, New Jersey's first lady Tammy Murphy, state Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Newark Museum of Art Director and CEO Linda C. Harrison, and Michele Jones Galvin, a descendant of Harriet Tubman.

Several photographs of "Shadow of a Face" and the unveiling ceremony are available here. Readers can also enjoy a time-lapse video of the monument's creation and interviews with significant figures involved in bringing it to fruition, provided by the city.

Harriet Tubman Monument Photo by DreamPlay, Photographer Cesar Melgar/flic.kr


Harriet Tubman Monument Photo by DreamPlay, Photographer Cesar Melgar/flic.kr

"Shadow of a Face" replaces a statue of Christopher Columbus that was removed by the city in June 2020. It was a gift from Newark's Italian community unveiled on Columbus Day in 1927, according to NewarkHistory.

"In keeping with the movement to remove symbols of oppression and white supremacy, we have decided to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus from Washington Park," Mayor Baraka said on the statue's removal in June 2020.

"The removal of this statue should not be perceived as an insult to the Italian-American community. It is a statement against the barbarism, enslavement, and oppression that this explorer represents," Baraka also said.

A second Christopher Columbus statue was removed from the city "by private citizens" about a week later.

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Massive 700-pound George Floyd statue erected at Newark City Hall



A massive bronze statue of George Floyd was unveiled in New Jersey on Wednesday afternoon. The 700-pound statue will remain on display at Newark's City Hall for at least a year.

"The artwork was donated to the city and will be on display for at least a year in collaboration with the Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs," WPIX-TV reported.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) unveiled the statue along with artist Stanley Watts, who sculpted the statue, and filmmaker Leon Pickney, who commissioned the statue.

Today Mayor @rasjbaraka unveiled a donated statue honoring George Floyd in front of City Hall, alongside Filmmaker… https://t.co/06vApyshaw

— City of Newark (@CityofNewarkNJ) 1623872507.0

"George Floyd represents a lot more than himself at this juncture in history," Baraka said during the unveiling ceremony. "Hopefully when people walk by it and they see it…hopefully it inspires them to become active in the struggles that are happening right here in Newark and right here in New Jersey."

Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes. His death sparked nationwide protests calling for societal and criminal justice reforms.

Baraka hoped that the George Floyd statue would become a permanent fixture in Newark.

"He probably could have taken this anywhere, but we are grateful that he chose to display it in Newark for as long as we possibly can have it," the mayor said. "Maybe it will find a permanent home somewhere or maybe it will be here, who knows, but we are happy to have it for the time we have it here."

"Mr. Floyd's death elevated the Black Lives Matter movement, which has resulted in an international response, including protests, police reform measures and the removal of Confederate statues from public parks and racist names from organizations," city officials said in a statement.

Pickney said, "The statue was to cause them to remember why they marched during such a horrific pandemic and I didn't want them to go back to a status quo."

Watts explained why he selected this posture of George Floyd, "The world needed a peaceful George."

"The world needed him relaxed and chilling on a bench and that's what we produced and we produced him larger than life, because after death, George will be remembered," he continued. "That's what memorials are. To remember and never forget why we changed today and tomorrow and for the rest of our existence on this planet."

Last year, Newark removed a statue of Christopher Columbus from Washington Park that was donated to the city as a gift from the Italian-American community in 1927.

"In keeping with the movement to remove symbols of oppression and white supremacy, we have decided to remove the statue," Mayor Baraka said in June 2020. "We took it down with city work crews in a safe and orderly manner, to avoid the potential danger of people taking it upon themselves to topple it."

"The removal of this statue should not be perceived as an insult to the Italian American community," Baraka continued. "It is a statement against the barbarism, enslavement and oppression that this explorer represents."

The Columbus statue will be replaced with a new monument honoring famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

"This monument will reflect how Newark honors one of our great pioneers and warriors, and therefore it should in turn reflect the views of our residents," Baraka said.

Newark will also rename Washington Park to "Tubman Square" in 2022, when the new monument is expected to be installed. Washington Park was known as the areas of "North Common" or "Upper Green" until 1795, when the town voted to turn it into a park and change its name to honor the first president of the United States, George Washington.

Newark mayor imposes curfew amid coronavirus spike, prompting some residents to worry about second shutdown



Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, announced on Monday that nonessential businesses across the city would be required to close by 8 p.m. local time beginning on Tuesday.

What are the details?

According to WCBS-TV, Baraka said that the move is due to a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in Newark residents.

"Even though Newark's population accounts for a third of Essex County, Mayor Ras Baraka tweeted that the number of COVID cases there is more than every other city in Essex County combined," the station reported.

Indeed, Baraka took to Twitter with the dire statistic on Sunday, writing, "Today Newark had more COVID-19 cases than every other city in Essex County combined! We are witnessing a serious spike and tomorrow we will begin taking serious measures. Wear your mask!"

Today Newark had more COVID-19 cases than every other city in Essex County combined! We are witnessing a serious sp… https://t.co/fRXFr5JC0p
— Ras J. Baraka (@Ras J. Baraka)1603668142.0

Baraka announced the new curfew during a Monday press conference as the station reported that the city's East Ward has a startlingly high positivity rate — more than 25 percent.

In his announcement, Baraka also canceled all sports activities and recreation facilities.

According to the station, "All stores must close by 8 p.m., except supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations. Restaurants and bars must close indoor service by 8 p.m., outdoor service by 11 p.m."

Further, barbershops and beauty salons must now conduct business on an appointment-only basis.

"Large gatherings are still happening," he said, "and restaurants and indoor places have to be strict with the numbers that they're allowing [to come in]."

Baraka added that all residents must strictly follow social distancing and business capacity measures.

'People are gonna struggle'

One Newark resident told the station that he is concerned about COVID-19, but also about the impact another shutdown will cause for residents.

"We're taking it real serious," Jose Olaya said. "I've lost family to COVID. ... [A] lot of people are going to have no jobs again. People are gonna struggle a little bit again."

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, who is president and CEO of University Hospital Newark, said that the second wave has arrived in the city.

"The mayor is right to sound the alarm," Elnahal said. "We're now at almost 20 hospitalizations, which is a sharp increase just from last week. We have a community clinic positivity rate approaching 6%, past our 5% threshold for beginning our surge plan."

Elnahal added that larger gatherings are dangerous.

"We're concerned that an increasing number of indoor gathering and large gatherings in general at people's homes are contributing to this," he added.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said that a statewide lockdown may take place if conditions persist.

"If we can't get a hold of this thing, that's probably something that, as a consideration, is going to have to become more meaningful," he said.