12-15-14-Benito Juarez – Newest Statue
George Wibrowski
Estates Class
Extra Credit
The Statue of Benito Juarez is located on the west side (the 6th avenue side) of Bryant Park between 41st and 42nd St. It was placed there in 2002 and it commemorates Juarez’s great leadership and his intense interest in protecting the interests of the people of his great country of Mexico and being a friend of the United States in times of both war and peace.
Benito Juarez. Benito Juarez was the President of Mexico for five terms (from 1858 – 1972). He was born in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca, Mexico. He was an indigenous President and a greatly celebrated leader. (He lived from 3/21/1806 – 7/18/1872).
President Benitez spoke out against corruption in the Mexican military and as a result made several enemies. He went into hiding for a little while in Louisiana.
Juarez was granted an extension of his presidency and fought the invasion of Mexico by the French government. Juarez went to the United States to ask for support, but they offered him a position with the U.S. government without taking immediate action.
Though under intense pressure from France, Juarez refused to leave Mexico and finally got the U.S. to see his side, U.S. President Andrew Johnson ordered that the French leave Mexico right away.
The French didn’t respond but Juarez never gave up. Juarez wanted freedom for his people, freedom for the people to elect and control what goes on in their state themselves, not being controlled by a foreign country and freedom from all citizens having to follow a single religion. He wanted equal rights for all of his country’s people. His visions were ahead of his time.
Juarez was an honored member of MOLLUS, (the Military Order of The Loyal Legion of The United States), for his good relationship with the United States, his tactfulness in difficult times for his country and for being a good partner and loyal friend to the United States during times of both war and peace.
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Ju%C3%A1rez
and a video from youtube. c o m on Mr. Juarez.
