In a powerful protest against gun violence, the “Fearless Girl” statue became “Fearful Girl” on Friday morning.
Manuel and Patricia Oliver, whose son, Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, was killed in the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida, put a bulletproof vest on the bronze statue that read “#FEARFULGIRL.” The parents made the demonstration with their gun control advocacy group Change the Ref, Huffington Post reports. CTR uses urban art to confront and expose the effects of mass shooting in the U.S., according to the organizations Twitter page. The advocacy group also partnered with Fight Gunfire With Fire, who encourages students to use creativity to stop gun violence, according to the statement. Three students from University of Alabama, MK Holladay, Emeline Earman and Mingyu Jo created the idea of #FearfulGirl, Newsweek reported.
“The Fearless Girl is undeniably brave, but bravery isn’t bulletproof,” Change the Ref said in a statement to The Hill.
The goal was to promote gun control laws before Tuesday’s midterm elections. Manuel Oliver has made multiple art installations to protest gun violence. Oliver and the advocacy group revealed a 3D printed sculpture of his son Time Square last week to protest the threat of 3D printed guns, according to The Hill.
CTR also tweeted on Friday with a photo of the statue wearing the bulletproof vest: “She can’t be fearless if she’s afraid to go to school.”
She can’t be fearless if she’s afraid to go to school. #fearfulgirl pic.twitter.com/6XO3x8bwpS
— Change the Ref (@ChangeTheRef) November 2, 2018
The vest remained on the statue for about one hour before it was removed—peacefully.
Kristen Visbal created the sculpture, and before International Women’s Day in 2017, it was placed in front of a “Charging Bull” last year. She has since become a major tourist attraction.