Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia will convene a special city council meeting Tuesday evening to address the unresolved fate of the toppled Soldiers’ Monument in the city’s Plaza, a structure that has remained in disarray for five years following its dismantling by protesters.
The meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m. At Santa Fe City Hall, signals a renewed effort by the newly elected mayor to resolve the contentious issue. Garcia has publicly stated his determination to reach a decision, emphasizing that the prolonged uncertainty will not continue. “This is not going to proceed on for five years. We are going to approach to a decision soon,” Garcia said, according to reports.
The monument was torn down on Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2020 by individuals protesting its commemoration of what they described as violence against Native Americans. A plaque on the monument specifically honored Union soldiers who fought Indigenous people during the Civil War. Since then, the city has been locked in debate over whether to rebuild the monument, replace it with a different structure, or relocate it entirely.
Mayor Garcia has stressed the importance of community collaboration in finding a resolution. The current impasse follows a period of inaction, with previous administrations failing to reach a consensus on the monument’s future. In September 2024, former Mayor Alan Webber defended an emergency proclamation related to the obelisk, citing concerns about potential civil unrest and violence stemming from demonstrations and counter-demonstrations.
The special city council meeting represents a concentrated effort to break the deadlock and provide a path forward for the Plaza, a central gathering place in Santa Fe. The outcome of Tuesday’s discussion remains uncertain, but Mayor Garcia’s commitment suggests a decision is forthcoming.
