RAPID CITY, S.D. – During his weekly COVID-19 address, Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender touched on the hot topic of statues, and their removal in some locations of the country.
Allender says although controversial historical statues are being taken down across the nation, he says that will not happen here.
“We are the City of Presidents. We have statues of 44 presidents of the United States. Every one of them did great things for our country but every one one of them was a sinner,” said Allender.
He continued, “Every one of them has made mistakes, has made a fool out of himself, maybe even embarrassed this country; because they are human beings who have risen to the status of president of this great country. We’re not removing any of them.”
Allender says Rapid City is well known as the City of Presidents and each statue of the 44 presidents will remain.
He says he sees how much both locals and tourists love to see the statues.
