Creator of Olympic Black Power Statue Encourages SJSU Students on Nakba Day

Photos by Len and Nancy.

Rigo 23, the artist who created the statue that stands at the center of San Jose State's encampment, spoke to student demonstrators. He said that he is endlessly proud of the students and that this is precisely the kind of usage he envisioned for that work. He told of the history that led to the creation of it... in 1968 two black San Jose State graduates, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, stood on the Olympic medal stand raising their black-gloved fists to draw global attention to racism and inequality in the U.S.