US Election: “Poop Emoji” Statue Mysteriously Appears in Washington

Two statues have mysteriously appeared in Washington, DC, drawing crowds of onlookers, just a week before US election day on November 5th.

Last week, an unknown artist placed a bronze replica of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk on the National Mall near the US Capitol. The detail is that on top of the replica there is a “poop” similar to the emoji, the size of a basketball.

“This memorial honors the brave men and women who stormed the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 to loot, urinate and defecate through those hallowed halls to overturn an election,” reads a plaque below the statue.

“President Trump celebrates these January 6th heroes as ‘unbelievable patriots’ and ‘warriors.’ This monument is a testament to their bold sacrifice and lasting legacy,” the statement added.

Pelosi’s desk was at the center of one of the most iconic images of January 6, when a Donald Trump supporter who stormed the Capitol was photographed with his feet on the bench.

On Monday, a bronze statue of a torch appeared in Freedom Plaza, just a few blocks from the White House.

The statue, called “The Enduring Flame of Donald J. Trump,” appears to mock the former president’s defense of protesters who attended a 2017 white supremacist rally that left one woman dead.

“This monument pays tribute to President Donald Trump and the ‘very fine people’ he courageously defended when they marched in Charlottesville, Virginia,” reads a sign below.

“While many called them white supremacists and neo-Nazis, President Trump’s voice rose above the rest to remind everyone that they were ‘treated absolutely unfairly.’ This monument stands as an eternal reminder of that bold proclamation,” he adds.

While the artist — or artists — behind the statues remain unknown, a largely drafted permit approved by the National Park Service shows that Civic Crafted LLC and Julia Jimenez-Pyzik applied for applications to display the statues. THE CNN has reached out to Civic Crafted LLC and Jimenez-Pyzik for comment.

Groups of tourists gathered at the statues to read the artist’s ironic messages and take photos of the works.

“I think they are very thought-provoking,” Maryland resident Grace Denman said of the statues.

“They reminded me how angry I was about January 6th and the deaths in Charlottesville because of white supremacists, so they brought back some of that energy and anger that has dissipated over time as we get closer to a really contentious and possibly dangerous election,” she added.

But not everyone seems to like the statues.

D.C. resident Paige Muller said she “heard from a lot of people who aren’t from here, or maybe aren’t as politically engaged, and some people thought it was inappropriate.”

But Muller sees the art as “a great reminder of what’s at stake,” saying, “We have to do our part to make sure another January 6 doesn’t happen.”

Since the sudden appearance of the statues, the plaque with Pelosi’s name has disappeared from the top of the table.

The statue — titled “The Resolute Desk” — represents the heart of democracy, according to the permit. “When protesters invaded to destroy these ideals, this table stood firm, as did the principles of equality, justice and freedom that it represents,” he says.

National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst told CNN in a statement that permits issued by the agency “define the specific conditions under which the event will occur to ensure public safety, protect park resources, and to maintain a celebratory atmosphere when appropriate.”

“The National Park Service does not consider the content of the message being presented,” he said.

The statues will not arrive on Election Day. The table was scheduled to be removed on Wednesday (30) and the torch a day later.

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This content was originally published in US Election: “Poop emoji” statue mysteriously appears in Washington on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil