A monument to the Gang of 19’s fight for accessibility on public transit could come to Civic Center Park thanks to a $2.3 million grant
A monument to the Gang of 19's fight for accessibility on public ... Denverite
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The Gang of 19 Monument Project in Civic Center Park
Introduction
Work is set to begin on a monument in Civic Center Park that will honor the efforts of the “Gang of 19,” a disability rights activists group in Denver who fought for accessibility in 1978. The project will receive a $2.3 million grant from the Denver City Council, which will be used for research, community engagement, and sculpture projects in Civic Center Park. Additionally, the grant will fund a “monument audit” of statues that were toppled or removed during protests in 2020.
The Significance of the Gang of 19
The Gang of 19, led by Rev. Wade Blank, staged a protest in Denver in 1978 to demand accessible transportation. Their activism drew national attention and played a crucial role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. The protest also led to the Denver Regional Transportation District becoming the first metropolitan transportation agency in the country to provide wheelchair-accessible service on all local buses.
The Commemorative Project
The construction of a commemorative project in Civic Center Park will honor the legacy of the Gang of 19 and their impact on disability rights. The project aims to create a larger installation that represents the historic protest and its significance in breaking down barriers to transportation in the United States.
Improving Accessibility
Councilmember Chris Hinds, who represents District 10, emphasizes the importance of making Civic Center Park accessible to everyone. The project aligns with the city’s plans to improve accessibility at the Greek Theatre and South Plaza in the future.
Funding and Implementation
The project will receive funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a private foundation committed to supporting public projects that represent the stories of all Americans. Denver Parks & Recreation will be responsible for carrying out the Gang of 19 commemoration project with a budget of nearly $2 million. Denver Arts & Venues will receive $500,000 to conduct a “monument audit” of statues that were controversial during the 2020 protests.
Controversial Statues
Two statues that will be included in the monument audit are William F. Joseph’s “Christopher Columbus” statue and Frederick MacMonnies’ “Pioneer Monument.” The Christopher Columbus statue was toppled in 2020 due to protests against the explorer’s genocidal legacy. The Pioneer Monument, which originally depicted a Native American man, was altered to feature Kit Carson after public outcry. Both statues have been in storage awaiting a decision on their permanent homes.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the efforts to honor the disability rights activists known as the “Gang of 19” and improve accessibility in Denver’s Civic Center Park. This aligns with SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities by ensuring equal opportunities and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals. It also relates to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the article mentions a “monument audit” of controversial statues, highlighting the importance of justice and strong institutions (SDG 16) in addressing historical controversies and engaging the community in decision-making processes.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for persons with disabilities.
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 10.2, which focuses on promoting the inclusion of all individuals regardless of their disability status, and Target 11.7, which aims to provide universal access to safe and inclusive public spaces for persons with disabilities. Additionally, Target 16.6 is relevant as it emphasizes the need for effective and transparent institutions in addressing controversies and engaging the community in decision-making processes.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
While the article does not explicitly mention indicators, we can infer potential indicators based on the identified targets. Indicator 10.2.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 10.2 by assessing the proportion of people with disabilities living below a certain income threshold. Indicator 11.7.1 can measure progress towards Target 11.7 by evaluating the average share of open space in cities that is accessible to persons with disabilities. Indicator 16.6.2 can assess progress towards Target 16.6 by measuring the satisfaction of the population with public services related to the decision-making process and handling of controversial statues.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for persons with disabilities. | Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. | Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: denverite.com
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