Prentice statue removed from outside Louisville Public Library

(WLKY) LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A controversial statue was removed from outside the Louisville Public Library’s main branch on Tuesday.

The statue was moved shortly after 9 a.m.

The decision was made months ago, after the Public Arts and Advisory Committee issued a report to the mayor.

Officials said the George Dennison Prentice statue will go into a city storage facility on Lexington Road.

Prentice was a founder and longtime editor of the Louisville Journal.

Mayor Greg Fischer said he used his position to advocate an anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant message that led to the 1855 Blood Mary Riot where at least 22 people were killed.

In announcing the decision to move the Prentice statue, it was also decided the city would move the John Breckenridge Castleman Statue at Cherokee Triangle. No information has been released on when that will happen.

In reference to the Prentice statue, the mayor’s office said, “His statue is especially inappropriate outside the library, a place that encourages education, inclusiveness and compassion.”