Protest Against Ganesha "Demon" Statue in Idaho Loses Steam

Protesters against the public display of Lord Ganesha sculpture in downtown Coeur d'Alene in Idaho on Friday, June 10, 2011 were outnumbered by over six times by counter-demonstrators.

Reuters reported on Friday about a group of self-described constitutionalists protesting the northern Idaho city's dedication of the sculpture of the Hindu deity at Sherman Avenue. This piece of art by Spokane, Washington artist Rick Davis is a bluish metal sculpture depicting Ganesha.

The local Kootenai County Constitution Party website called Ganesha "a Hindu demon," urging Christians to protest against the "abomination" on the street of Coeur d'Alene, and named the local arts officials a "godless group," for installing the statue of a Hindu deity. The local chairman Daniel Brannan told the media: "It is representative of a false god, of a particular religion other than the one on which our country is so solidly founded." This encouraged a protest and a resultant counter-protest by people who supported the move.

News reports suggest that both groups carried handmade signs in these peaceful demonstrations on the opposite corners of Sherman/Sixth at the dedication ceremony. One sign opposing the Ganesha sculpture read "The veneration of the idols is the worship of demons". One of the signs carried by counter-demonstrators supporting the sculpture said "Go away all intolerant hate mongers. We love art."

Davis' "Ganesha" on East Sherman Avenue and South 6th Street is part of 15 sculptures of "ART Currents--Coeur d'Alene Public Art On-Loan 2011-2012 Program". Spread across the downtown area, a variety of art pieces on loan from local and national artists are on display for one year and for sale. Besides "Ganesha," which is priced at $35,000 and the third most expensive, Davis' "St. Francis of Assisi" and "Great Blue Heron" are also on display.

Coeur d'Alene, founded in 1878 and known as "Lake City," is home to the second largest metropolitan area in Idaho. The vast majority of tolerant residents of the city found the protest ironical and against religious freedom.