Councilman Still Working To Bring Catto Statue To City Hall

March 3, 2011 4:05 AM

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Councilman James Kenney expects to revive his quest to honor a 19th century civil rights activist with a statue at City Hall.

For almost ten years, Councilman at-large James Kenney has been working to get a statue placed at City Hall of 19th century civil rights activist, educator, soldier, and baseball player Octavius Catto.

“There is no public space where there is an African-American statue. And we want Catto to be the first,” he said.

Fundraising for the $1.5 million needed to create the statue and for its perpetual care slowed because of the economy. Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to join Kenney in mid-March in a push for corporate and public support for the effort.

“For every person, regardless of their race or their nationality, should be able to walk by him in a statue and say who is this man and what did he do and why should we memorialize him?”

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio

Councilman Still Working To Bring Catto Statue To City Hall

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/03/14/memorial-for-civil-rights-activist-gets-big-boost-from-city-of-philadelphia/ Memorial For Civil Rights Activist Gets Big Boost From City of Philadelphia « CBS Philly

[...] Councilman Jim Kenney (at lectern) says this will jump-start fundraising efforts for the $2-million project (see previous story). [...]
Pope Clement VII

Does Phila. really need a 1.5 million dollar pigeon roost? Why not a large portrait…perhaps 4′ X 6′ or more….mounted in a place protected from sunlight and behind glass.
Ken

I think this is a geat idea. And I would suggest to also have a statue of Mother Katherine Drexel at City Hall to acknowledge the enormously generous contributuions of Drexel and the Catholic Church.

Donna

Yes, Ken, Mother Drexel left a wealthy family to head a group of nuns devoted to teaching black & Indian children. She was an early civil rights hero whose story should be told.