Caesar Rodney Statue to Return to Public Display in Washington D.C. for U.S. 250th Anniversary

A statue of Caesar Rodney, a Declaration of Independence signer who enslaved over 200 people, will be reinstated in Washington D.C.'s Freedom Plaza. The National Park Service plans this temporary installation for up to six months as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations this summer. The monument was removed from Wilmington, Delaware six years ago during Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Delaware state senator Eric Buckson has advocated for the statue's return, emphasizing Rodney's historic ride to secure Delaware's vote for independence. The Interior Department confirmed the plan but did not address whether the display will acknowledge Rodney's slave ownership.