He would coin in that same article the term “manifest destiny” to defend the occupation of two other territories-Texas and Oregon. In 1845, journalist John O’Sullivan described an “army of Anglo-Saxon emigration” pouring into California with ploughs and rifles, and marking the territory with schools, colleges, courts, and meeting places. This popular belief defended the idea that American settlers, who were primarily white, had the right and duty to expand their territory across the North American continent from the founding 13 colonies to California. Historians say that Roosevelt’s ideas about progress and attitudes on race can be traced back to the mainstream culture of manifest destiny in 19th century America. Racism, 'Rough Riders' and the Spanish-American War While the museum stated that the way Blacks and indigenous people are depicted by Roosevelt's statue is 'racist' to many, including them, they announced that they will name their Hall of Biodiversity after Roosevelt, in recognition of his commitment to conservation. But on June 5, a man on a bike threw paint at the statue. Cuomo praised Roosevelt as a symbol of New York toughness-someone who found strength in unity and inclusivity.

On May 23, two days before Floyd's death, New York Governor Andrew M. Pressure to remove the monument resurfaced when nationwide protests calling for racial justice broke out in May after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer he has since been charged with murder.

The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt