Scoop: Philly nears final decision on Frank Rizzo statue
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Police officers guard the Frank Rizzo statue as protestors clash with police near City Hall on May 30, 2020. Photo: Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty
The yearslong legal battle for possession of Philadelphia's Frank L. Rizzo sculpture appears to be coming to an end.
Why it matters: The monument of the city's former tough-on-crime mayor and police commissioner remains controversial even after it was removed from Center City at the height of the 2020 racial justice protests.
Driving the news: The Frank L. Rizzo Monument Committee — which commissioned and donated the bronze sculpture to Philly in 1998 — has reached a settlement with the city over the monument, the committee's lawyer George Bochetto tells Axios.
- The city's Art Commission is poised to review a proposal to remove the sculpture from the city's art collection at its Wednesday public meeting.
- If approved, ownership of the statue would be transferred to the Rizzo committee as part of the city agreement to settle litigation, city spokesperson Bruce Bohri tells Axios.
What they're saying: "This review fulfills a promise made to Philadelphians and comes after thoughtful consideration of the diverse perspectives of our residents," Bohri said.
The other side: The Rizzo committee expects to take possession of the statue sometime after Labor Day.
- And Bochetto says the city is expected to pay $85,000 to repair damages to the statue. The city didn't comment on the potential payment.
- Bochetto says this is another example of the Kenney administration's overreach that is being corrected.
The big picture: The review comes after a court recently reversed another order from former Mayor Jim Kenney that replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day.
- Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reviewing several items at Philly's national parks as part of an effort to restore monuments, statues and the like that were changed or removed since 2020.
Catch up quick: The 9-foot Rizzo statue, which formerly sat outside the Municipal Services Building, was a flashpoint during the 2020 racial justice demonstrations when protesters defaced, burned and attempted to topple it.
- Kenney issued an emergency order to remove the statue in June 2020, citing a threat to public health, safety and welfare.
- The city placed the statue in storage, where it's sat ever since.
- The Rizzo committee filed a lawsuit to reclaim the statue soon after its removal.
Context: There's long been debate over Rizzo's legacy.
- To supporters, he was an Italian American hero and a tough-on-crime mayor and police commissioner.
- To opponents, he's a symbol of racism, bigotry and unchecked brutality, particularly for those in the Black and LGBTQ communities.
What to watch: The committee wants to put the monument back on display.
- Yes, but: Bochetto declined to say whether they're planning a public or private display, but noted that the settlement includes parameters about where they can place the statue.
- Bohri said the Rizzo committee will determine the plans for future display on private property.
Jody Della Barba, head of the Rizzo committee, told Axios they have at least one location in mind for it, but declined to provide further details.