‘Fearless Girl’ statue to remain in NYC for now – Asbury Park Press – Asbury Park Press

Andrew Wyrich, @AndrewWyrich 10:18 p.m. ET March 29, 2017

In this March 22, 2017 photo, the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues are sit on Lower Broadway in New York.(Photo: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

NEW YORK The Fearless Girl statue in lower Manhattan will remain in place, staring down the Charging Bull statue, for a little while longer, officials said.

The wildly popular statue which was the subject of countless selfies and inspirational photographs since International Womens Day earlier this month was originally scheduled to be taken down next week, but will now remain in place until early 2018.

The 50-inch statue, which depicts a bronze girl with hands on her hips and a slight smile on her face, is situated in front of the large bull statue in Manhattans financial district. It was installed by State Street Global Advisors, an asset manager, in anticipation of International Womens Day and has drawn crowds since then.

An online petition called for the statue to become permanent almost immediately after it was installed.

However, the artist who sculptured the Charging Bull statue called the Fearless Girl an advertising trick. In the past, some people have criticized New York for having very few statues of women including a push to include statues of women in Central Park in 2015.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday that the statue will remain in its spot for the foreseeable future.

De Blasio said it had been a tough time for so many people since January and that many women had told him they feel womens rights were being disrespected in the current political climate.

Sometimes a work of art captures the moment in history, and thats whats happened here, deBlasio said. This small but powerful statue has really encapsulated the views and the feelings of so many people. This statue has crystallized this moment in history and has given a message of power and personal empowerment to women and girls.

The statue will remain in the Bowling Green park until International Womens Day next year, deBlasio said.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer called the statue inspirational and praised the way it had moved people in different ways.

We can issue all the reports we want, they will not have the symbol a sculpture does, Brewer said.

Andrew Wyrich: wyrich@northjersey.com

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'Fearless Girl' statue to remain in NYC for now - Asbury Park Press - Asbury Park Press