Anonymous Artist Sneaks Edward Snowden Statue into Brooklyn Park
Edward Snowden arrived in New York earlier this morning, standing at a whopping 4-foot-tall, and 100-pounds. Well… a sculpted version of the worlds favorite NSA whistleblower snuck its way into Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park early Monday morning.
Ex-NSA contractor, Edward Snowden, the hero who leaked thousands of classified government documents outlining the governments blatant bulk surveillance of the world from yours truly, the National Security Agency (NSA) equipped with their hacking powers, made an unorthodox appearance earlier today in a New York park.
The whistleblower, who is facing crimes for exposing the wrong-doing of his own government, fled the United States when leaking the classified documents, landing him a near permanent ban from the U.S. Not entirely a ban, but if Snowden steps foot in the USA he would likely be arrested and thrown in prison for the rest of his life.
Snowden made his debut on U.S. soil a bit earlier today, standing at a small 4-foot-tall and 100 pounds right in the middle of Brooklyn Fort Greene Park early Monday morning. But it wasn’t actually him, it was a large slab of metal constructed to appear as Edward Snowden.
The four unknown artists who snuck the Edward Snowden Statue into the park remain unknown, but it was reported that authorities removed the statue of the beloved whistleblower a few hours after it was put up, around 2:30 p.m.
The Edward Snowden statue stood atop a column at the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument in Fort Greene Park, an area dedicated to honor the more than 11,000 American prisoners who died aboard British ships during the American Revolutionary War. The artist said the location was no coincidence.
The anonymous artists said they chose the location because it is “loaded with significance and meaning and reverence of others.” It positions Snowden, the artist told Mashable, “as a continuation of a story that began at the beginning of this country,” representing the trouble of captured Americans.
The Edward Snowden Statue was hoisted atop a Revolutionary War memorial, where the artist also added the letters to his last name right below.
Sadly the statue was short-lived, authorities ordered the statue to be removed, where they covered the statue, then proceeded with taking it down. According to Animal New York, the anonymous New York City-based artist and sculptor said they had updated the memorial to American POWs who died during the Revolutionary War, “to highlight those who sacrifice their safety in the fight against modern-day tyrannies. It would be a dishonor to those memorialized here to not laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSA’s 4th-Amendment-violating surveillance programs to light.”
(Photo: Aymann Ismail/ANIMALNewYork)
Appropriately placed atop the memorial celebrating those who gave up their freedom and their lives to win the freedoms we carelessly give away in the name of “National Security”. And exactly what security breach occurs by placing a statue in Brooklyn Park? Must be serious because the statue was down and out very quickly. Guess its time to raise our glasses to “Freedom of Speech”. She was a good amendment. She stood tall and protected us while we fought for the rights of others. Now she is kidnapped and gagged! Well they can take away the “freedom” but they will never shut up the speech. For centuries, the words of freedom have been passed on through Art, Music, and performance. So “How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.” Bob Dylan
The removal of the statue is so indicative of status of our bill of rights. Appropriately placed and celebrating the lives of those who gave up theirs to provide the freedoms we once had, only to be removed by those wanting to limit our rights. So, raise your glasses to “Freedom of Speech”, our first amendment. She stood proudly and did us all well while we fought to protect our rights. Sadly she’s been kidnapped and gagged. Well they can take away the freedom but they cannot stop the “speech” as long as there are great Americans still ready to take a stand. For centuries defenders of human rights passed on the word through art, music, and performance. “How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, The answer is blowing in the wind.” Bob Dylan. So to the artists, a salute, as we take our rights underground!!!