This Mohandas Gandhi statue, located inside the Gandhi Gardens on the west side of Union Square, was built in 1987. It was originally given to Tribeca, but they returned the statue back to the city, who placed it inside Union Square. Gandhi, who was a leader of nonviolent protests against Britain's occupation of India, found his home inside Union Square Park, which itself has long been associated with protests. The statue today, is often the center for protests and candlelight vigils. There is an annual ceremony that takes place inside the garden on Gandhi's birthday, October 2.
Though it is not big, well known or in plain sight like the Washington or Lincoln statue, the Gandhi statue is one that people tend to have a greater personal attachement to. People adorn the statue with scarves and shawls during the winter and flowers and wreaths during the summer.
1 comment:
I never knew that they did ceremonies on his birthday. That's pretty call, I pass that statue about a million times a day. The pictures are really awesome too, I've never seen him done up with hats and flowers.
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