A South Coast city has settled the controversy surrounding a statue in front of its city hall complex. The bronze statue of Father Junipero Serra which has stood in front Ventura’s City Hall for decades will be relocated.
Some contend the statue is appropriate, because Father Serra was one of the founders of the state’s historic chain of missions. But, other say that the settlers mistreated and abused the state’s Native Americans, and that it should be removed from public property.
More than a hundred people testified during a series of virtual hearings on the issue.
The Ventura City Council approved a proposal developed by the mayor, a Chumash tribal leader, and the pastor at Ventura’s mission to put it in storage, with the eventual goal of moving it to Mission San Buenaventura.
A second wooden statue of Father Serra will also be removed from inside of Ventura’s City Hall, and into storage until a new home is found for it.
