ST. LOUIS — Tensions flared Saturday atop Art Hill in Forest Park over the symbolism behind a statue of this city’s namesake, some calling for the removal of King Louis IX, with others praying that it stands.
A crowd ballooned to about 200 people by noon, clashing face-to-face at the foot of the “Apotheosis of St. Louis,â€Â the formal name for the iconic statue. Calls for the removal of the statue of King Louis IX of France come as the nation grapples with whether to preserve monuments of historical figures rooted in a racially divided past. The bronze statue of the crusading king from the Middle Ages is a copy of one that greeted visitors to the World’s Fair here in 1904.
Warning: Explicit language: Tensions flared Saturday, June 27, 2020, atop Art Hill in Forest Park over the symbolism behind a statue of this city's namesake, some calling for the removal of King Louis IX, with others standing by, praying that it stands. Video by Joel Currier
“He’s gonna come down,†Umar Lee, one of the protest organizers, said of the statue Saturday. “This guy right here represents hate and we’re trying to create a city of love. We’re trying to create a city where Black lives matter. We’re trying to create a city where there is no antisemitism or Islamophobia … this is not a symbol of our city in 2020.â€
Another protest organizer, Moji Sidiqi of the Regional Muslim Action Network said that in addition to removing the statue, she thinks the city of St. Louis should be renamed to celebrate the city’s racial, ethnic and religious diversity.
“It’s a revolution,†she said. “It’s time for change … right now, our number one mission is to take this thing down and sit down with people who want to see positive change take place and continue to heal our country.â€
Earlier this month, a statue of Christopher Columbus was removed in Tower Grove Park. Three years ago, the city removed a Confederate monument in Forest Park.
Two camps of people emerged Saturday: Those who believe the statue represents racism and oppression and those who think the statue’s religious symbolism is too important for it to come down.
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At least two groups gathered Saturday, Saturday, June 27, at the statue on Art Hill, one calling for the removal of King Louis IX, and the other praying for the saint to stay. Video by Joel Currier
About a dozen St. Louis police officers have formed a line between those saying prayers and those who want the King Louis IX statue removed. Video by Joel Currier
One of those hoping the statue stays is Daniel Koehler, 31, of south St. Louis County. He prayed with fellow Catholics at the foot of the statue while clutching a turquoise rosary. Louis IX is a saint, he said, who exemplified holiness.
“We’re here praying for peace, we truly are,†Koehler said. “Christianity has lots of roots in America. What’s wrong with naming the city after a saint?â€
As the gathering grew larger and the chanting louder, about a dozen police officers stood between the people praying and those demanding the statue’s removal.
Frequent chants of “Take it down!†peppered the more than three-hour protest, which remained mostly peaceful except for a few brief skirmishes. Some Christians stood under the statue reciting prayers and singing quietly together as others in attendance shouted over megaphones and drew on the base of the statue with chalk.
As the protest wound down, someone tossed liquid and a man swung punches at another, but no one appeared to have been badly hurt. Police ordered another man to leave after he became angry over someone grabbing his hat when he refused to stop taking pictures.
Maria Miloscia, 25, of Jefferson County, stepped up and onto the base of the statue and stood for at least an hour, quietly praying and singing religious songs to herself. She said St. Louis, in her view, represents Christ. She said she also believes the defacing of statues could easily devolve into the destruction of buildings or the murder of people.
“I think he symbolizes deep faith and convictions,†she said. “I stand for him. And I stand for those Catholic virtues and those Catholic values that I think are important, like courage, faith and love. But ultimately, I’m here for Christ the king.â€
Theo Kayser, 30, of St. Louis County, held a sign during the protest that said “Louis IX committed genocide.†Kayser believes St. Louis has plenty of other historical figures who deserve recognition.
About a dozen St. Louis police officers have formed a line between those saying prayers and those who want the King Louis IX statue removed.
— Joel Currier (@joelcurrier)
“I don’t think we need to be celebrating people who commit genocide,†Kayser said. “I think we need to learn about those people but we don’t need to celebrate them.â€
Alexis Perez, 24, an indigenous American and third grade teacher in St. Louis, said she hopes the history lessons she teaches her students allows them to think for themselves. She believes it’s time for the statue to come down.
“Every part of America has things that they do need to atone for racially,†she said. “Until we do that, we can’t move forward.â€
Crusading king of France is "example of an imperfect man," the statement reads, but did much to help the poor and sick.
Photos: Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake comes to a head
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Mark Williams, left, of Sullivan, Missouri, debates the worthiness of a statue of King Louis IX in Forest Park with a man who gave his name as Horus during a rally that brought various opinions to the top of Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "This is hate against the Catholic church," said Williams, calling for a conversion of St. Louis residents. "If 99 percent of people are Catholic, our racial problems go away." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
The Rev. Samuel Miloscia leads the prayers of the rosary in front of the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Patrick Schneider of Dogtown cycles by the Apotheosis of St. Louis, the formal name for the statue of King Louis IX atop Art Hill in Forest Park as people begin to gather for a rally on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Schneider is a supporter of leaving the statue in place. “I saw what happened in Minnesota, I don’t want to see that here,” he said. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Members of the Invaders Motorcycle Club step between factions in the fight to decide the future of the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park as statue supporter Beverly Miloscia of Barnhart prays the rosary on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "They're not going to be satisfied with statues," said Miloscia. "People are next." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A line of St. Louis police officers separates opponents and supporters of the statue of King Louis IX at a rally June 27, 2020, in Forest Park.Â
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Over the objections of the Rev. Stephen Schumacher, organizer Umar Lee and others decide he's had enough time on the bullhorn explaining his views of King Louis IX of France during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Restaurateur Ben Poremba speaks against keeping the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park as a member of the Invaders Motorcycle Club stands by on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A line of St. Louis police officers separate those people opposed to and supporting the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
The Rev. Stephen Schumacher takes a turn at the bullhorn explaining his views of King Louis IX of France as protesters Umar Lee and Marilyn Aleem-Shamikh, right, listen in during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Protester Cathy Daniels leads the chant opposing the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Beverly Miloscia of Barnhart and a supporter of leaving the statue of King Louis IX in place in Forest Park, steps in front of protester Umar Lee, left, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "They're not going to be satisfied with statues," said Miloscia. "People are next." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A statue protester, center, encourages another man to leave the area as those opposing the statue of King Louis IX asked Catholics supporters to leave during a rally atop Art Hill in Forest Park on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A man supporting the King Louis IX statue is doused with a pink liquid by a protester during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A man supporting the King Louis IX statue and taunted by protesters goes after another man after being doused with a pink liquid during a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
One protester tries to move a supporter of the King Louis IX statue out of the way while another punches him toward the end of a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
One protester tries to move a supporter of the King Louis IX statue out of the way while another punches him toward the end of a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A supporter of the King Louis IX statue is encouraged to leave the area after being punched during an altercation toward the end of a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
The Rev. Stephen Schumacher, second from left, leads prayer at the King Louis IX of France during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Mark Williams of Sullivan, right, a Catholic supporting the statue of King Louis IX, speaks with those opposing it during a rally atop Art Hill in Forest Park on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "This is hate against the Catholic church," said Williams, calling for a conversion of St. Louis residents. "If 99 percent of people are Catholic, our racial problems go away." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Restaurateur Ben Poremba speaks against keeping the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park as members of the Invaders Motorcycle Club stands by on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Over the objections of the Rev. Stephen Schumacher, protest organizers Umar Lee and Marilyn Aleem-Shamikh said the priest's time on their bullhorn is up while he explains his views of King Louis IX of France during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. (Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com)
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
St. Louis Police Lt. Randy Jemerson encourages a supporter of the King Louis IX statue to leave the area after he got into an altercation while photographing protesters with his cellphone at a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Jim Hoft of the Gateway Pundit is followed by protesters as he leaves a rally opposing the King Louis IX statue atop Art Hill in Forest Park on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
