Palm Springs Sees Protests Over Marilyn Monroe Statue

The Desert Sun reports:

Capping months of contentious debate over art, architecture, city procedures and use of tax revenue, the 26-foot-tall statue of Marilyn Monroe known as “Forever Marilyn” was formally installed in downtown Palm Springs on Sunday night amid speeches from enthusiastic city leaders and chants from appalled protestors.

Protest chants of “Hey hey! Ho ho! Misogyny has got to go!” rang out ahead of the ceremony. Supporters, who appeared to outnumber detractors, simply chanted, “Marilyn! Marilyn!” During the officials’ remarks, protesters chanted “Exploitation! Exploitation!”,

Read the full article. The statue last was last displayed in Palm Springs from 2012 to 2014. Some protesters say the statue is a misogynistic physical version of an “upskirt” video.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Palm Springs on Sunday evening to support — and oppose — the controversial statue of Marilyn Monroe on Museum Way. https://t.co/Gy7fXG85Sr

— The Desert Sun (@MyDesert) June 21, 2021

‘EXPLOITATIVE AND MISOGYNISTIC’: A 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe in her iconic role from “The Seven Year Itch” was greeted by protests in Palm Springs. https://t.co/JS5ujeIpEP pic.twitter.com/BrLpxLWBEK

— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) June 21, 2021