Statue of founding father who enslaved hundreds installed at Freedom Plaza

UNITED STATES, May 25 — Thirteen new statues are now on display at Freedom Plaza in Downtown D. C. , including a founding father known for enslaving hundreds of people.

News4’s Dominique Moody reports. Thirteen new statues have been installed at Freedom Plaza in downtown D. C.

The National Park Service says the statues depicting prominent American figures will be on display for the nation's 250th anniversary, but there is some controversy on at least one of those figures: Caesar Rodney. Rodney was an officer during the American Revolution. The statue of the founding father was taken down in Delaware during protests in the summer of 2020 because of Rodney's legacy of enslaving hundreds of people.

Stream NBC4 newscasts for free right here, right now. WATCH HERE The art piece arrived in the nation's capital a few weeks ago. The National Park Service staff installed the statue Friday, according to the Department of the Interior.

News4 spoke to some people who saw the statues about what they thought about the installation. One man said seeing the statues and the discussions about them are interesting. "It's emotional," a woman said.

"Anything that's got to do with the military and things of that sort, it has my heart. " "A story about America, right? Then be intentional, be responsible and tell the whole thing," another woman said while in her car.

News4 reached out to the National Park Service to get an indication of whom the other statues depict and is still awaiting a response. Freedom Plaza is closed as they continue with this installation.