Protesters now demand removal of Central Park statue honoring ‘father of modern gynecology’ who conducted experiments on enslaved black women in the 1850s

Protesters gathered in New York‘s Central Park on Saturday to demand the removal of a statue of a 19th century doctor who conducted experiments on African American women slaves.

A bronze likeness of Dr. James Marion Sims stands at the entrance of Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street in Manhattan.

The statue, which was originally dedicated in 1894, stands to honor the man considered to be ‘the father of modern gynecology.’

According to the New York City Parks Department, Sims, who was born in South Carolina in 1813, owned slaves.

While he is credited with treating vesicovaginal fistula, a condition in women that was common after child birth, he is also known to have conducted a series of experiments on black women.

In some cases, Sims did not use anesthesia on his subjects.

Her remarks were reported by the New York Daily News.

‘We will no longer allow government institutions like the New York City Parks Department to passively allow symbols of oppression,’ she said.

‘At best, J. Marion Sims was a racist man who exploited the institution of racism for his own gain,’ another protester, Seshat Mack, 24, said.

‘At best, he was a man who recognized the humanity of black slaves to use them for medical research about the human body — but not enough to recognize and treat their pain during surgery.’

Sims’ hallmark achievement was the founding of the Woman’s Hospital of New York in 1855. He is also credited with medical breakthroughs and innovations.

The city has refused demands to move the statue, which originally stood in Bryant Park before it was moved to its current location.

The location of the statue is significant, since it lies in East Harlem – a racially diverse community.

Instead, it pledged to add a sign to the statue that would offer visitors to the site greater historical context about the man and his deeds.

Sims’ statue in New York is not the only likeness that has stirred controversy.

In Columbia, South Carolina, the mayor, Steve Benjamin, has vowed to remove a bust of Sims on the grounds of the South Carolina Statehouse.

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