The removal of outdoor sculptures has often sparked heated debates, reflecting societal shifts and historical reckonings. Among the most controversial removals is the dismantling of Confederate monuments in the U.S., such as the Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, which became a flashpoint for racial tensions. Similarly, the toppling of Edward Colston's statue in Bristol, UK, during Black Lives Matter protests highlighted colonial-era injustices.

In South Africa, the removal of Cecil Rhodes' statue at the University of Cape Town symbolized post-apartheid resistance to colonial glorification. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe has seen Soviet-era monuments dismantled, like the removal of the Bronze Soldier in Estonia, which strained relations with Russia.

These removals often ignite clashes between preserving history and addressing oppression, proving public art is never just about aesthetics—it’s a battleground for memory and identity.