State Senator wants Caesar Rodney statue relocated
DELAWARE – In time for the 250th Anniversary of the United States, Delaware State Senator Eric Buckson is leading an effort to bring back the Casesar Rodney equestrian statue.
It’s a move that is being met with some controversy.
Caesar Rodney is known for his famous midnight ride to Philadelphia to cast a tie-breaking vote for Delaware’s independence from Great Britain, but he was also known as a slaveholder.
“In essence, without that ride, we’re not celebrating July 4th as this nation’s birthday, maybe it’s a different date, I don’t know but Caesar Rodney was the one responsible for breaking the tie at that time that led this country to start its independence,” said Sen. Buckson.
On Tuesday, Sen. Buckson introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 65, calling on the state, the City of Dover and Kent County Levy Court to work with the City of Wilmington to relocate the statue of Caesar Rodney to a suitable location in Kent County, Delaware.
“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” said Sen. Buckson. “I think that we need to tell history in all its imperfections, not just the good parts, all parts, but we can’t do that if we hide from history.”
The statue, which was originally located in Wilmington’s Rodney Square, was removed and placed in storage in 2020 following protests about the murder of George Floyd.
“This isn’t about erasing history, but this is about saying let’s have the full context of history and then also be a little discriminating about who we recognize out in the public square and if that’s going to be a person that is going to really unite our communities or further divide our communities,” said ACLU of Delaware Executive Director Mike Brickner.
Brickner said we can still learn about the history of Caesar Rodney, but that doesn’t mean a statue of him should be in the public square.
“People are still absolutely able to and should learn about Caesar Rodney,” said Brickner. “He had a major place in the formation of Delaware as a state in American and Delaware history, but we should also learn about his history as a slave holder and an advocate of slavery and to have that important context as we’re learning about his place in history.”
Senate Concurrent Resolution 65 suggests potential sites to relocate the statue in Dover, like The Green or the John Dickinson Plantation.
Sen. Buckson said other potential places discussed include Legislative Hall, Caesar Rodney High School and the Camden Bypass.
The resolution seeks to move the statue by July 4, 2026.
