In a plot twist that would make history buffs do a double-take, Caltrans just said “nope” to a 50-year-old statue of Junipero Serra that’s been chilling along Interstate 280. The 26-foot monument, which has been watching commuters zip by since 1975, got the ultimate cancel treatment - total demolition.

A Statue’s Controversial Journey

Junipero Serra, once celebrated as a missionary saint, has become increasingly controversial for his role in California’s colonial history. Native American tribes have long protested his canonization, highlighting the brutal treatment of Indigenous peoples at missions across California. Vandalism and graffiti targeting Serra statues became a common sight during the racial reckoning of 2020.

The Quiet Takedown

Caltrans claimed the statue didn’t meet current art program requirements and was constructed in a way that made relocation impossible. The agency consulted with local Ohlone tribes and various organizations before the removal, though Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone wasn’t exactly thrilled, claiming Catholics were being “marginalized”.

A Symbol of Changing Narratives

This statue’s demolition represents more than just infrastructure maintenance - it’s a testament to how we’re continuously reassessing historical figures and confronting uncomfortable colonial legacies. Sometimes, progress means saying goodbye to monuments that no longer represent our collective values.