WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — New statues of civil rights icon Daisy Bates and musician Johnny Cash will represent the natural state on Capitol Hill after an unveiling on May 8.
Arkansas leaders like Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Tom Cotton spoke at the ceremony, with Sen. Cotton stating "Even as a young girl, Daisy refused to accept injustice because it betrayed America’s foundational promise and was an affront to God; under him, all men are created equal."
"The story of Arkansas is the story of men and women with grace and grit and determination and a passion for justice, like Daisy Bates," said Sen. Cotton.
Bates is known as co-publisher of the Arkansas State Press newspaper, and for mentoring the Little Rock Nine.
Director of African American Studies Dr. Najja K. Baptist at the University of Arkansas describes the period when civil rights protests in the Black community surrounded Bates. "The state corralled around her to make sure that everyone was informed of any political issues that would go on. If they wanted to organize something, they had to come together."
The National Statuary Hall collection features two statues each from all 50 states. Bates's statue will stand next to one of Johnny Cash, representing Arkansas and replacing previous statues of Uriah M. Rose, who was an attorney and president of the Arkansas Bar Association, and the state's 18th governor James Paul Clarke.
"The statute stands as a constant reminder that the work is yet to be done," said Dr. Baptist.
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