The New York Academy of Medicine has in the past, and continues to support today the removal of the J. Marion Sims statue in accord with the wishes of our East Harlem community residents and leaders including New York City Council Speaker and District 8 Representative Melissa Mark-Viverito.

The statue, which does not belong to the Academy nor is it on Academy property, is a part of the Permanent Arts and Monuments sculpture collection overseen by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and we applaud Mayor de Blasio’s calling for a “90-day review of all symbols of hate on city property.” We will gladly share our statement with the Mayor during his review process.

Letter to Mayor de Blasio on the Removal of the J. Marion Sims Statue