About two months ago, a statue of former California Governor Pete Wilson was removed from Horton Plaza. Just this week, however, it was put back in its place.
The removal of the statue was demanded by racial justice activists amidst their widespread war on statues. And the activists celebrated after it was taken away in October. However, the president of Horton Walk, Stephen B. Williams, stated that the statue was taken down for its own safety, not because of what the people wanted.
The statue “is a symbol of all that is great about San Diego and its unlimited future” expressed Williams in a statement to the VOSD. Williams commended Wilson, who was also a former San Diego Mayor, for his record of charming reinvestment into the downtown area.
Activists who preach about the need for racial justice and equity believe that Wilson was undeserving of a public tribute. In part, because one of his most notable accomplishments was Proposition 187, which was a ballot initiative to set up a state-run citizenship screening system and put a stop to the undocumented immigrants applying for non-emergency healthcare, schooling, and other benefits in the State of California.
Additionally, Wilson was a major proponent of Prop 209, which added a clause to California’s constitution that prohibited discrimination based on race, gender, and ethnicity in public housing, employment, and college admissions decisions; this effectively outlawed affirmative action and made the state a more equal place. In this year’s election, San Diego voters reaffirmed Wilson’s beliefs when they voted against Proposition 16, which would’ve reversed Prop 209, by a wide margin.
