Emily Murphy statue in Edmonton defaced with red paint

A statue of Emily Murphy has been defaced with red paint.

The statue, in Emily Murphy Park, was covered with red paint as of Tuesday morning.

The word "racist" was written on a plaque underneath the statue.

The statue has since been cleaned, according to a statement fromcity manager Andre Corbould released Tuesday evening.

He said administration "recognizes and understands the strong emotions and polarizing opinions" when considering attitudes of historical figures that no longer reflect modern values.

"We are listening to these concerns and are taking steps to determine how to handle these issues," he said, referencing work to revise a naming committee bylaw and statue policy.

"But this type of work takes time and must include the voices of all Edmontonians, not just those who believe they can solve such concerns through damage or destruction," Corbould said.

"Criminal acts will not drive city policy."

Murphy's views on immigration and eugenics have been considered racist and elitist, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia's online entry.

Murphywas one of the Famous Five, a group of women behind the Persons case which successfully ensured women were declared "persons"in British Law, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Murphy died in Edmonton in 1933.

Emily Murphy Park is on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River between Kinsmen Park and Hawrelak Park. Access to the park is via aroadway named Emily Murphy Park Road.

Several other statues in Edmonton have been covered by red paint, with statues of Winston Churchill and Pope John Paul II covered with red paint earlier this summer and on Wednesday morning, a bust of Frank Oliverin front of the Hotel MacDonald wascovered in red paint.