WILSON STATUE PROTESTED
Critics call for removal, saying former governor supported discriminatory policies in 1994’s Proposition 187
Advocates for racial justice and gay rights came together Monday afternoon to demand that San Diego officials remove a life-size bronze sculpture of former California Gov. Pete Wilson.
They said the 13-year-old statue should be removed from Broadway Circle near Horton Plaza Park because Wilson “used his inf luence and power to demonize and dehumanize” local Latino and gay communities for political gain.
Wilson’s former chief of staff said the request to remove the statue is a “partisan political performance” by people more interested in shutting down debate than engaging in policy discussions.
The move comes in the wake of nationwide demands for the removal of statues of Confederate generals and people who owned slaves.
Critics say Wilson should be judged harshly for his support in 1994 of Proposition 187, which sought to stem illegal immigration by cutting off state services to undocumented people. The voter-approved ballot measure was eventually ruled unconstitutional.
“He is a purveyor of hate,” said Enrique Morones, a Latino rights leader spearheading the statue removal effort. “We won’t stand for this type of racism.”
Morones said Wilson’s recent endorsement of President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign shows Wilson hasn’t changed his positions.
“His recent unsolicited endorsement of Trump doubles down on the hatred he inspires,” said Morones, criticizing Trump for not condemning White supremacist groups strongly enough. “It is long overdue that the Pete Wilson statue be taken down.”
Morones placed a red mask on the Wilson statue, signifying Morones’ support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Nicole Murray-Ramirez, a longtime local gay rights leader, said Wilson declined to meet with leaders of San Diego’s gay community when Wilson was mayor of the city from 1971 to 1983.
After his stint as mayor, Wilson represented California in the U.S. Senate from 1983 to 1991 and served as governor from 1991 to 1999.
Sean Walsh, Wilson’s law partner