in Newark today a long awaited unveiling a new monument of the historic Freedom Fighter Harriet Tubman erected in the spot of Christopher Columbus statue once stood in a park also recently renamed in her honor Advocates say the move is a symbol of larger change and a social Reckoning Raven Santana has the story [Applause] it was a day of reflection healing and celebration for the city of Newark as they unveiled a Harriet Tubman Monument in newark's downtown mayor Ros Baraka was joined by a variety of guests including first lady Tammy Murphy Queen Latifah and the great great grand niece of Harriet Tubman Michelle Jones Galvin during a press conference Galvin discussed The Monument's importance to the city that played a critical role in the Underground Railroad there was one of two things I had a right to Liberty or death if I could not have one I would have the other and no man should take me alive I know that the monument will inspire future generations to take action when they see Injustice the monument is a result of a partnership between the city of Newark and audible actress rapper and Newark native Queen Latifah narrated The Monument's on-site audio experience and spoke about why the project was personal to her none of History Legacy home inspiration to our future young people who will see it to my mother an art teacher an artist I know it's gonna have someone get over this thank you for bringing this project to us the monument is replacing a Christopher Columbus statue that was taken down in the summer of 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd protest and at a time when multiple Columbus statues around the state were taken down last year a group of local Italian-American organizations challenged the Harriet Tubman project arguing that it cut out Italian history in Newark and that the Columbus statue shouldn't be removed a state historic preservation board actually agreed with the group's argument but the state dep commissioner overruled them in August and gave the green light for the original plan to move forward but completing it we are not demeaning other people's stories we're telling our own and the world from our point of view is scary only to those that despise Justice local artist Nina cook John designed the monument shadow of a face was the winner of a national open call Cook John envisions the renamed Park as a place where people can visit from all corners of Newark and Beyond to learn about Miss Tubman's life and journey as well as Newark storied history of black liberation this is not a legend it is about a shadow of a face is dedicated to the women of New York I see you You Know Who You Are you might not all be in this room today but I see you the monument is now on display and open to the public at Harriet Tubman Square in Newark for NJ Spotlight news I'm Raven Santana