Posted on November 27, 2021

De Blasio Praises Thomas Jefferson’s ‘Immense Contributions’ but Lauds Removal of NYC Council Statue

Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, November 23, 2021

Thomas Jefferson is no longer holding court in the City Council — and Mayor de Blasio believes that’s for the better.

Hizzoner on Tuesday welcomed the removal of a historic Jefferson statue from the Council chamber, declaring that the Founding Father’s “profoundly contradictory” beliefs on slavery means he has no place in the ornate room.

Speaking one day after the 884-pound statue was packed up and carted off from City Hall, de Blasio praised Jefferson’s “immense contributions to this country,” but also sided with a chorus of Council members who pushed for the relic to be removed.

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The removal of the statue — which was first erected in the Council chamber in 1883 — prompted an outcry from conservatives across the country, who claimed it sets a bad precedent.

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But de Blasio waved off the right-wing critique.

“I don’t think it sets a dangerous precedent at all,” he said. {snip}