
For Pacific Islanders, a statue in Washington state recalls a dark chapter in history
CNN
The monument honoring the 19th century US Navy sailor John R. Monaghan in Spokane, Washington, is a reminder of the country's history of violence, colonialism and racism against the Samoan people. Members of the community want it to come down.
Most of the city's residents have no idea who Monaghan was. But for many Pacific Islanders in the area, his legacy is one of violence, colonialism and racism -- and they want the statue to come down.
Pacific Islanders and their allies marched through downtown Spokane this past weekend to amplify calls to remove the monument -- a demand that community members have made for years and have since renewed this past June, according to Joseph Seia, founder and executive director of the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington.