California plans to replace a toppled statue with a monument to Native Americans

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October 1st, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, bows his head as Assemblyman James Ramos opens a meeting with tribal leaders from around the state in 2019 in West Sacramento, Calif. In 2021, Ramos authored, and Newsom signed, a law to erect a monument to Native Americans in Sacramento outside the state capitol.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP

California will replace a former statue on state capitol grounds honoring a Spanish missionary with one celebrating Sacramento-area Native American tribes.

Erected more than 50 years ago, the statue of Father Junipero Serra was forcefully toppled by racial justice protesters in July 2020 and has been in storage since.

The legislation, which officially removes the statue of Serra, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, at a virtual ceremony attended by Native American leaders from throughout the state.

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