US Artists Install Bust of Edward Snowden On New York War Memorial

A bust of the former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden was installed on a New York City war memorial by a team of artists in Brooklyn on Monday. However, the 100-pound sculpture of the NSA whistle-blower was soon removed.

The sculpture [image] of the NSA whistle-blower was hauled into Fort Greene Park just before dawn. The bust was fused to a part of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. The team of artists behind the incident allowed to Animal to cover the entire activity with the condition of anonymity.

The New York based artists apparently have a history of several remarkable public interventions. A renowned sculptor on the West Coast, whom they are linked up with, seems to be sympathetic to their cause. The artists, on the other hand, have doubts if Snowden approves of what they have done.

The bust, titled as “Prison Ship Martyrs Monument 2.0,” had the description which said that it was dedicated to American POWs who had lost their lives during the Revolutionary War. “It would be a dishonor to those memorialized here to not laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSA’s 4th-Amendment-violating surveillance programs to light,” the description said, “All too often, figures who strive to uphold these ideals have been cast as criminals rather than in bronze.”

The artists said that their goal was to bring a renewed vitality to the space and prompt even more visitors to ponder the sacrifices made for their freedoms. They also hoped that their project would inspire people to reflect upon the responsibility everyone bore to ensure that liberties existed long into the future.

The artists mentioned that a number of journalists called Snowden a “hero” even though many politicians hailed him as a “traitor.” The artists expressed their unhappiness that the majority of the public had moved on from Snowden’s leaks in 2013 even though it had exposed critical evidence.

The duration of the bust was, nevertheless, short-lived. Park officials decided to take it down. By Monday evening, it was held at Brooklyn's 88th Precinct pending an investigation.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au