August 22, 2013

Below is the letter received by OFMI from Cerritos, CA Mayor Bruce Barrows in response to our request for removal of the City of Cerritos Gandhi statue. For background on our ongoing campaign to convince the City of Cerritos to remove its Gandhi statue, please see the following:

August 22, 2013: Cerritos Gandhi Statue Opponents Invoke Southern Californian Murdered by Gandhians

July 26, 2013: Letter to Cerritos City Council Requests Removal of “Repugnant” Gandhi Statue

July 24, 2013: Letter to Cerritos City Council Requests Removal of “Repugnant” Gandhi Statue

August 5, 2013

Dear Mr. Valmuci:

Thank you for your recent email regarding the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, owned by The Chugh Firm in the City of Cerritos. The statue which was vandalized and damaged was temporarily removed but has now been re-installed at the original location.

This statue was selected by the Chugh Firm, a private company which was required to provide a statue or monetary contribution as a part of the Art In Public Places Program, when their development was approved. The City has many statues placed throughout the City which have also fulfilled this requirement. The Chugh Firm selected, purchased and installed the art piece and has full ownership of it. The Fine Arts and Historical Commission and the City Council received and approved the statue at the request of the Chugh Firm, based on the artistry of the statue.

Your comments have been noted.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bruce Barrows