Title
Authorizing the Committee of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings on the City of Philadelphia’s Landmarks and Monuments Review process to propose changes to any landmarks or monuments in Philadelphia that are reminders or symbols of racism or bigotry; while elevating the city’s rich history and diversity.
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WHEREAS, The Landmarks and Monuments Review was initiated by the Managing Director’s Office and the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE) to align with the Administration’s Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation initiative to address systemic and institutional racism in the city; and
WHEREAS, The OACCE was charged with developing a landmarks and monuments review process that is public-driven; and
WHEREAS, The names of Philadelphia’s landmarks, including its streets, parks, plazas, recreation centers, buildings, and playgrounds, should be a commemoration and memorialization of the city’s past, while reflecting who we are and what we value; and
WHEREAS, The monuments and art in Philadelphia’s public spaces, located in every neighborhood throughout the City, should reflect a rich diversity of our stories and histories; and
WHEREAS, OACCE researched how other cities and universities were reevaluating their monuments, participated in multiple meetings with the City’s operating departments and agencies, and had meetings with the Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation Steering Committee - comprised of more than 70 business, civic, and religious leaders - to inform the Landmarks and Monuments Review process; and
WHEREAS, The guiding principle of the Landmarks and Monuments Review process is such that the City of Philadelphia values inclusiveness, integrity, and respect for the diversity of its citizenry, visitors, and history. Therefore, the City will consider renaming or changing any landmark or monument that does not align with these values; and
WHEREAS, The Landmarks and Monuments Review process will ensure that the renaming of existing landmarks, the naming of new landmarks, the recontextualizing or removing of existing monuments, and the commissioning of new monuments align with the City’s values; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby authorize the Committee of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings on the City of Philadelphia’s Landmarks and Monuments Review process to understand the criteria and methodology that will be used to make changes to the city’s landmarks and monuments, to learn how the public will be involved, and to ascertain the possible impact on the City’s operating budget.
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