New York: The New York parks department on Monday covered a large bust of Edward Snowden that was installed in a Brooklyn Park, thwarting the artists’ stated intent “to highlight those who sacrifice their safety in the fight against modern-day tyrannies”.
The Snowden bust still stood at Fort Greene Park’s Prison Ship Martyrs monument, atop a single Doric column. But it was wrapped in a blue tarpaulin, as city workers debated what to do with it.
The monument stands to the memory of 11,000 prisoners who died in British captivity during the Revolutionary war.
The anonymous artists explained their tribute to the NSA whistle-blower in a statement, writing: “It would be a dishonour to those memorialised here not to laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSA’s fourth amendment-violating surveillance programs to light. All too often, figures who strive to uphold those ideals have been cast as criminals rather than in bronze.”
Snowden, who leaked thousands of classified National Security Agency documents that exposed mass surveillance by the government, has been charged under the Espionage Act and received asylum in Russia in 2013.
On Sunday, comedian John Oliver pressed him to account for some of the consequences of his disclosures. The bust, about 4ft tall and resembling both Snowden and former White House spokesman Jay Carney, was wrapped up by two park employees before noon, hiding the face and column but not the eagle statue that stands at its foot.
A park ranger removed a Plexiglas stand with Snowden’s name that had been placed at the base of the column. The Brooklyn-based artists also wrote that they hoped passers-by would “ponder the sacrifices made for their freedoms”.
“We hope this inspires them to reflect upon the responsibility we all bear to ensure our liberties exist long into the future,” they said.
Pedestrians at the park — a mix of dogwalkers, skateboarders, joggers and Fort Greene locals enjoying a day off — mostly expressed bemusement and irritation that the city had covered the column. One man wandered by to ask: “When’s the unveiling?”
A dogwalker and Fort Greene resident named D Campbell said she thought the covering up ironic, considering Snowden’s actions. “I think he’s actually upholding our values, what we believe in,” she said.
An artist named Justine Williams, who said she saw park rangers discover the work and wonder what to do with it earlier in the morning, said it had blended in well with the park. She said the artists had created a work that was “really thoughtful, respectful” about the park’s status. “I’m outraged that they covered it up, though not surprised,” she said.
Two locals, a woman named Julia and a man who declined to give his name, said they supported Snowden and appreciated the art. “It’s all about exposure, right? They should uncover the tarp,” said Julia.
A second dogwalker said she thought the sculpture was “great” and an expression of free speech. “It was an expression of what, you know, in 100 years what it might be,” she said. Ben Gross, a local resident, similarly said he was glad for Snowden’s actions. “I’m happy that I know about the programs that he revealed,” Gross said. “I think that more people care than he probably thought were going to care.”
One woman wandered before the column in a small loop, telling anyone in earshot that “America got a lot of secrets” and asking: “Why do you think they got to cover it up?” At a distance from the column, two police detectives arrived and took pictures on their phones, chatting with a park ranger. Asked what he thought of the bust, the park ranger who found it only shrugged. Williams said that when he and another passer-by had found it, she had seen them “puzzling over it”.
Only two of about seven skateboarders in their late teens recognised the name Edward Snowden. One admitted he had only heard the name and had “no idea who the guy is”. The skater who did know Snowden, an 18-year-old named Jake, visiting from Montreal, said he had done a school project about how Snowden revealed “the government corrupted, and how they’re hiding stuff”.
He said he felt “fully respectful” for Snowden. Snowden has said he feels “vindicated” by the outrage provoked by the leaked documents, but the US has not yet passed legislation to change any of its surveillance programs. President Barack Obama ordered a review of NSA programmes, but has not ordered any changes. He has sought the extradition of Snowden to face charges in the US.
Snowden has polarised politicians and commentators, often being described in broad strokes as either a “hero” and “patriot” or a “traitor” and “coward”. The artists behind the sculpture told Animal New York and Mashable earlier on Monday that they wanted to work to counter such negative characterisations.
