The “Fearless Girl” Statue Will Stay on Wall Street Until 2018
The “Fearless Girl” statue has been facing down Wall Street’s iconic “Charging Bull” statue for the past three weeks—and she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
New York’s City Hall announced{: rel=nofollow} Sunday that Mayor Bill de Blasio has agreed to let the statue—featuring a young girl dressed in a dress and sneakers, with her hands on her hips and a strong, defiant look on her face—remain in place until February 2018. Its run was originally supposed to be for just one week{: rel=nofollow}, after being installed on March 7 by investment firm State Street Global Advisors in celebration of International Women’s Day. Before the most recent announcement, that initial permit had been extended until April 2.
“In her short time here, the ‘Fearless Girl’ has fueled powerful conversations about women in leadership and inspired so many,” de Blasio said in a written statement, according to the Post. “Now she’ll be asserting herself and affirming her strength, even after her temporary permit expires—a fitting path for a girl who refuses to quit.”
The “Fearless Girl” statue, sculpted by Kristen Visbal, has won over the hearts of many in her downtown home, attracting crowds and accolades alike. Shortly after the statue’s placement in Bowling Green Park off Broadway, a Twitter campaign{: rel=nofollow} and Change.org petition were started to make the statue a permanent addition.
However, not everyone is happy about the statue’s newly extended stay: “Charging Bull” artist Arturo Di Modica has called the statue an “advertising trick”{: rel=nofollow} and is threatening to sue State Street for copyright infringement if it is not removed by April 2, according to the Post{: rel=nofollow}.
The statue was also previously vandalized by President Donald Trump’s supporters, who wrapped the statue in an American flag and placed a “Make America Great” hat on its head—a stark change from the symbol of feminism, the pink pussy hat{: rel=nofollow}, that the statue had previously donned in honor of International Women’s Day.
Related: Fearless Girl Statue Vandalized With Pro-Trump Apparel
Kendall Jenner, Performance Artist, Channels Icons Like Marina Abramovic and Yoko Ono:
These ’70s Feminist Posters Are Packed Full of Inspiration For Your International Women’s Day Protest Signs
“Women Unite,” 1973.
“Don’t Let Racism Divide Us,” 1978.
“Girls Are Powerful,” 1979.
“Capitalism Also Depends on Domestic Labor,” 1975.
“Fight the Cuts,” 1975.
“Protest,” 1973.
“Women Throw Off Our Double Burden of Economic + Sexist Exploitation,” 1975.
See Red Women’s Workshop, 1974-1990.