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Rep. Anthony Weiner Wants ‘Sexist’ Queens Statue Removed

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In this undated photo released by Rep. Anthony Weiner's Office, a statue entitled "Triumph of Civic Virtue" is shown near Borough Hall in Queens. (AP Photo/Rep. Anthony Weiner's Office)

In this undated photo released by Rep. Anthony Weiner’s Office, a statue entitled “Triumph of Civic Virtue” is shown near Borough Hall in Queens. (AP Photo/Rep. Anthony Weiner’s Office)

Al Jones

Reporting Al Jones

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Congressman Anthony Weiner is taking a stand against a statue in Queens that has been a source of controversy for nearly 90 years.

Triumph of Civic Virtue” has stood on the corner of Queens Boulevard and Union Turnpike, near the Queens Borough Hall, since 1941. The 20-foot marble fountain, designed by renowned sculptor Frederick MacMonnies and carved by the Bronx’s Piccirilli Brothers, was relocated to Kew Gardens after standing in Manhattan’s City Hall Park for 19 years.

“Triumph” was apparently exiled to Queens by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia who reportedly grew tired of being “mooned” by the statue on a daily basis.

1010 WINS’ Al Jones with Rep. Anthony Weiner who says the statue does not represent civic virtue


The statue features a nude, muscled man holding a sword behind his head standing atop two bare-chested mermaids, who look more like Medusa than Ariel, slithering at his feet.

The statue is meant to portray civic virtue triumphing over vice and corruption, however, many have found it offensive for decades. Its allegorical portrayal of vice as female caused a stir following its unveiling in 1922 — which was just two years after the 19th Amendment was passed.

Weiner wants it off the city streets. He and city council member Julissa Ferreras want to propose selling the statue on Craigslist to raise funds.

“It doesn’t represent civic virtue of any sort, it represents an eyesore,” Weiner said. He adds that what passed for clever symbolism in 1920 is now “sexist.”

“What they see is this 20-foot man stepping on two women, and that’s what’s registered, and that’s what they walk away with,” Councilwoman Ferreras said.

NYU professor Carol Krinsky said the statue is an example of artistic allegory, and it’s not meant to be taken literally.

“These are not women being stepped on,” she told CBS 2′s Tony Aiello. “These are representations of evil, they are allegories of vice.”

Weiner said the statue is simply out of place in this day and age.

“The allegory grew out of a sexist notion,” he said.

Some community leaders, who for years have been looking to restore the decaying statue, want “Triumph” to stay. One architect calls the statue “priceless art.”

“We should be looking to restore and preserve it, not desecrate and destroy it,” Kew Gardens resident Richard Iritano said.

The head of Community Board 9, Mary Ann Carey, agrees.

“We should revere it, and be proud of it, and conserve it,” she said.

“This isn’t about art,” said Weiner. “People can choose to view the things that they like – - no one’s saying art should not be created. But, it’s a question of whether it should be on display in Queens as somehow a demonstration of the art that we celebrate. It clearly isn’t, and I think we should get rid of it.”

Do you find the statue offensive? Let us know below

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  • GW

    If Congressman Weiner doesn’t have anything better to do then it’s time he retires and tries to work for a living like the rest of us instead of leaching off the taxpayers hard work. Moron.

  • HUGO

    Now the Weiner-dog thinks he is the one to decide what is acceptable art? Doesn’t this career politician have anything better to do?

  • linda

    what a “weiner”

  • Rodin

    (from above)

    First we do away with the entire Old Testament of the HOLY Bible, a true testament to every atrocity and licentiousness committed by Man, GOD’s master creation — in his own image.

    Put it all up on e-bay and raise funds for a Museum of the Mashed Potato Sandwich, a homage to the dehydrated, dull and drab.

    (continued below)

  • Rodin

    (from above)

    Let us all revel in Monet’s Water Lilies and Mary Cassatt’s rosy babies and children. Then, there IS Ms Cassatt’s lascivious ‘Little Girl in a Blue Armchair’, legs invitingly spread wide apart at the National Gallery of Art. Where, pray you, is government oversight over this cultural calamity?

    I strongly recommend cutting out and framing the doggie to the left and selling the rest on e-bay as upholstery.

    LET US PURSUE SIMPLE-MINDEDNESS, DECREE IT THE QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN CULTURAL OBJECTIVE.

    No offense to anyone….

  • mj

    maybe it’s a “WEINER” thing

  • eric m

    I’m guessing Weiner has already come up with a plan to balance the budget, and fix the unemployment problem. He seems to have a lot of time on his hands.

  • mk

    Doesn’t Mr. Weiner have any real work to do????
    And what a sexist name he has….maybe we need to demand he change it to “Brainless”…..

  • mak

    So this is the reason we keep re-electing these fools? So they can police the statues so our sensibilities are protected? I am really beginning to hate these people.

  • beeman

    There are more important matters to spend time on. It sounds to me like it is doing exactly what art should be doing….. invoking an emotion. Weiner needs to grow up.

  • Michellangelo

    These are some of the greatest comments ever written! New Yorkers should be proud of our wit!!

  • Ophelia Roydz

    Ugly yes, sexist no.
    Worthless yes, sexist no.
    An expense to the taxpayers yes, sexist no.
    Pigeon’s toilet yes, sexist no.
    I could go on.

    • tj

      Are you talking about the statue or Rep Wiener?

    • Art Polize

      Funny Pigeon toilet ,thanks for the laugh!

  • Bella Abzug

    I find his last name extremely sexist and offensive. It should be changed to dikless.

  • JBZ

    What a loser. I hope “Weenie” never visits Europe, his panties would really get in a wad then.

    • jbg

      It’s a lucky thing Mr. Weiner and his ilk aren’t in charge of, say, Rome or Florence. He’d have a field day, but treasury of Renaissance art would be decimated, not to mention the tourist trade!

  • johnny

    Sounds like another Schumer in the making.

  • yechoiuvsle

    Another useless brain dead politician. Hope he gets the clap.

  • Jon Whitney

    Must be a slow day in Weenies office that he has to worry about a classic piece of art work. I have always thought Lady Liberty looked rather masculine can we alter her appearance to look more like one of the models he worships?

  • floyd bannister

    Nothing wrong with this statue except it should be moved to the West Village where it would be appreciated for the fine sculpture that it is and what it represents. Here in the West Village we appreciate art.

    • JBG

      Hey! Some of us in Queens appreciate it too! Every time I pass it I think how lucky we are to have such a distinguished piece in our neighborhood. Mr. Weiner must be truly impervious to beauty, to be able to look at this works and dredge up a cause for offense.

  • MOE

    HALF THE WORLD IS OUT TO ANNIHILATE US & HE’S WORRIED ABOUT A STATUE

  • CJNYC

    I’m so very glad that I live out of NYC and don’t have to be represented by that ‘WEINER’!!!!!!!!!

  • Carlos Liriano

    leave it right were it is, told that jerk Weiner to find something more important to do,like taking care of the people in his district and the people of NY. Hands of that statue

  • Maria P

    Maybe Rep. Weiner could focus on helping the families in his district and not worry about a statue that has been there for 90 years. Give me a break. He truley is a “weiner”!

  • Donald Trump

    It’s sexy, not sexist. I hereby offer to take this statue off of Weiner’s hands. I’ll install it in front of Trump Tower and personally polish the buttocks daily.

    • jaypee

      Bravo!

  • CSI

    If only put ths type of dedication to real matters.

  • lemon pledge cookies

    Congressman Anthony Weiner is just trying to get some press. Enough with this overly sensitive political correct B.S. !!!

    It is a beautiful statue and should be restored and cared for. Stop reading more into it than there is.

    It’s not like it is a statue of Ricky Ricardo slapping Lucy because she didn’t get his dinner to the table on time.

    • Fred Mertz

      “It’s not like it is a statue of Ricky Ricardo slapping Lucy because she didn’t get his dinner to the table on time.”

      Now THAT is a sculpture even I could admire!

    • jbg

      I wouldn’t care if it were–it’s the most aesthetically pleasing object on the entire length of Queens Blvd, and that should count for something.

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