Joint effort needed to get results on obelisk

The Soldiers’ Monument on the Santa Fe Plaza possesses the flaw of one word that was chiseled away in 1974. Why not replace the panel with new language that amends the epithet?

The premise of saving the monument, and rewriting some of the language on it, is discussed in the city’s 2022 CHART — culture, history, art, reconciliation and truth — report. The document (santafe.gov/chart) includes views on page 85 on the question: “What should be done with the Soldiers’ Monument [obelisk]?”

The answers are divided between removal, restoration, moving the monument, replacement, leaving the space unoccupied and no opinion. Because of the way the question and the answers are worded, the conclusion is vague. Yet there is a trend between two words, “restore” or “replace.” There are three similar options to answer the question: Option A, “restore the monument with original signage (11.55%); Option B, “restore the monument with its original signage and add language that encourages it to be fully understood and assessed” (31.68%); and Option C, “restore the monument with different signage” (11.39%). Together this adds to 54.62%.

Alternatively, 33% favor replacement of the monument. In addition, the survey found 10.89% of respondents chose removal, and 12.05% say move the monument somewhere else while 6.27% have no opinion. This adds to 116.83%. Therefore, the survey is imperfect.

However, the study suggests that a percentage of the people in Santa Fe might want the monument to remain on the Plaza — 54.62% versus 33%.

The ideas found in our First Amendment to petition government, peaceably assemble and exercise freedom of speech, are at issue in the case of the obelisk controversy. The CHART report attempts to gather ideas in order to form a type of petition.

The state of New Mexico owns the monument, while the city of Santa Fe owns the Plaza. Who is responsible for the stewardship of the Soldiers’ Monument? The care of the monument is a collaboration between the state, the city and federal agencies.

While the monument was dismantled in October of 2020, in the eyes of the law, it still stands. This legal theory is predicated upon the fact that the obelisk has not yet been formally voted upon, either for removal, or to stay. The state of New Mexico has to weigh in. Additionally, residents could vote.

However, before a vote happens, I believe the state is obligated to confer with the state Historic Preservation Officer and the city Historic Districts Review Board, authorities on the Soldiers’ Monument because of legislation to protect cultural properties. The state Historic District and Landmark Act and the National Historic Preservation Act require that measures be taken to preserve historic places. The acts enjoin the state to preserve historic sites and objects, if they are deemed worthy of preservation, in this case the monument.

The Soldiers’ Monument is an historic object located within the Santa Fe Plaza, a designated National Historic Place. It deserves to be repaired to be inclusive, representing our collective history.

The care of the monument is a collaboration that involves New Mexico, Santa Fe and federal agencies.