Statement from Judith A. Salerno, MD on Removal of the J. Marion Sims Statue

On behalf of the Academy leadership and staff, I am pleased to acknowledge and thank Mayor de Blasio for his inclusive approach to reviewing and forming recommendations for the city’s statues and markers to ensure the many diverse voices of New Yorkers were heard. Today marks an important day for social justice as the statue of J. Marion Sims is removed from its pedestal in East Harlem. We look forward to working with the city and community members to envision a fair, just, and inspirational replacement.

Read the Academy’s testimony to the Public Design Commission supporting statue removal.