SPOKANE, Wash. — The statue of John R. Monaghan in downtown Spokane will be moved, due to Spokane City Council’s Monday night vote.
The statue, placed at Riverside and Monroe in 1906, depicts one of Spokane’s earliest pioneers and one of the first Gonzaga students.
According to the Spokane Historical Society, Monaghan was in the Navy and part of the 1888 conquest of Samoa.
The statue reads, “He died in the heroic performance of duty” and was a “brave man against a score of savages.”
For several years, the community has discussed whether or not Monaghan should be honored with a statute, given his involvement in what is now seen as an act of colonization. The actual language on the statue has also come under scrutiny.
In Monday night’s meeting, city council voted 5-2 to remove the statue, with Councilmembers Cathcart and Bingle voting against.
“There is no process; no community engagement. That is the most frustrating thing for me, whether or not we move the statue, there should be a public process,” Councilmember Cathcart said.
He also suggested placing a second plaque next to the statue recognizing the historical context and acknowledging the outdated language.
The resolution supporting the removal also cites pedestrian and bicycle improvements as a reason for the removal.
“It’s one of the most problematic intersections in the entire state. This is a long overdue change on both fronts,” Councilmember Dillon said.
Councilmember Dillon said the conversation goes back to 2020 and that he has heard from many community members about the statue, including veterans, the Pacific Islander community and the Monaghan family.
The statue will be returned to the Monaghan family once it is removed. No timeline for the removal was stated.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Future of Spokane’s Monaghan statue could be decided Monday night
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