About 200 people in opposition to and in support of the King Louis IX statue atop Art Hill in Forest Park gathered to debate the issue on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Photos by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
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Photos: Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake comes to a head
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Mark Williams, left, of Sullivan, Missouri, debates the worthiness of a statue of King Louis IX in Forest Park with a man who gave his name as Horus during a rally that brought various opinions to the top of Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "This is hate against the Catholic church," said Williams, calling for a conversion of St. Louis residents. "If 99 percent of people are Catholic, our racial problems go away." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
The Rev. Samuel Miloscia leads the prayers of the rosary in front of the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Patrick Schneider of Dogtown cycles by the Apotheosis of St. Louis, the formal name for the statue of King Louis IX atop Art Hill in Forest Park as people begin to gather for a rally on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Schneider is a supporter of leaving the statue in place. “I saw what happened in Minnesota, I don’t want to see that here,” he said. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Members of the Invaders Motorcycle Club step between factions in the fight to decide the future of the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park as statue supporter Beverly Miloscia of Barnhart prays the rosary on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "They're not going to be satisfied with statues," said Miloscia. "People are next." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A line of St. Louis police officers separates opponents and supporters of the statue of King Louis IX at a rally June 27, 2020, in Forest Park.
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Over the objections of the Rev. Stephen Schumacher, organizer Umar Lee and others decide he's had enough time on the bullhorn explaining his views of King Louis IX of France during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Restaurateur Ben Poremba speaks against keeping the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park as a member of the Invaders Motorcycle Club stands by on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A line of St. Louis police officers separate those people opposed to and supporting the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
The Rev. Stephen Schumacher takes a turn at the bullhorn explaining his views of King Louis IX of France as protesters Umar Lee and Marilyn Aleem-Shamikh, right, listen in during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Protester Cathy Daniels leads the chant opposing the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Beverly Miloscia of Barnhart and a supporter of leaving the statue of King Louis IX in place in Forest Park, steps in front of protester Umar Lee, left, during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "They're not going to be satisfied with statues," said Miloscia. "People are next." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A statue protester, center, encourages another man to leave the area as those opposing the statue of King Louis IX asked Catholics supporters to leave during a rally atop Art Hill in Forest Park on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A man supporting the King Louis IX statue is doused with a pink liquid by a protester during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A man supporting the King Louis IX statue and taunted by protesters goes after another man after being doused with a pink liquid during a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
One protester tries to move a supporter of the King Louis IX statue out of the way while another punches him toward the end of a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
One protester tries to move a supporter of the King Louis IX statue out of the way while another punches him toward the end of a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
A supporter of the King Louis IX statue is encouraged to leave the area after being punched during an altercation toward the end of a protest and rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. About 200 people on opposite sides of the debate attended the rally in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
The Rev. Stephen Schumacher, second from left, leads prayer at the King Louis IX of France during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Mark Williams of Sullivan, right, a Catholic supporting the statue of King Louis IX, speaks with those opposing it during a rally atop Art Hill in Forest Park on Saturday, June 27, 2020. "This is hate against the Catholic church," said Williams, calling for a conversion of St. Louis residents. "If 99 percent of people are Catholic, our racial problems go away." Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Restaurateur Ben Poremba speaks against keeping the King Louis IX statue in Forest Park as members of the Invaders Motorcycle Club stands by on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Over the objections of the Rev. Stephen Schumacher, protest organizers Umar Lee and Marilyn Aleem-Shamikh said the priest's time on their bullhorn is up while he explains his views of King Louis IX of France during a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. (Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com)
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
St. Louis Police Lt. Randy Jemerson encourages a supporter of the King Louis IX statue to leave the area after he got into an altercation while photographing protesters with his cellphone at a rally atop Art Hill on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Protest over statue of St. Louis' namesake
Jim Hoft of the Gateway Pundit is followed by protesters as he leaves a rally opposing the King Louis IX statue atop Art Hill in Forest Park on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Watch now: Protesters chant 'take it down' as counter protesters disagree
Watch now: Police divide protesters and people praying at the King Louis statue
Watch now: A brief scuffle broke out over the King Louis statue
Robert Cohen
Staff Photographer
At least two groups gathered Saturday at the statue on Art Hill, one calling for the removal of King Louis IX, and the other praying for the saint to stay.
Crusading king of France is "example of an imperfect man," the statement reads, but did much to help the poor and sick.
The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis in a statement Tuesday appeared to support keeping the Forest Park statue in place.
St. Louis police said Tuesday that 34-year-old Terrence Page was charged with fourth-degree assault following the demonstration held June 27.
The Gateway Pundit says Tishaura Jones, Umar Lee made libelous claims about the publication's support of a prayer service at the statue of St. Louis.