The Los Angeles City Council has voted to rename Pershing Square in honor of Bridget “Biddy” Mason, a woman who overcame a life of enslavement to become a prominent landowner and founder of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. The council’s unanimous decision directs officials to rename the plaza near the Biltmore Hotel as Biddy Mason Park.
The motion received support from several community members, including Rev. Timothy E. Tyler of the First AME Church. Tyler emphasized the importance of acknowledging figures like Mason, who contributed significantly to the city’s development.
“We believe that this act by the City Council will signal to the world that we in Los Angeles value those who have helped to build this city,” Tyler said.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado advocated for the name change, stating that Biddy Mason embodies the spirit of resilience and hope synonymous with Los Angeles. Jurado’s district includes the park, and she sees Mason as a fitting symbol of the city’s refusal to let injustice shape its identity.
Pershing Square, one of Los Angeles’ oldest parks, dates back to 1866 when it was initially dedicated as La Plaza Abaja. It was renamed in 1918 to honor General John J. Pershing, the leader of U.S. forces in World War I.
Some opposition to the name change came from individuals concerned about erasing military history. Courtland Jindra, a former co-director of the California WW1 Centennial Task Force, argued that the square also honors the soldiers and sailors who fought in the war.
“If we take away memorials for anyone, for the military, who’s to say they’re not going to take away the L.A. Memorial Coliseum?” Jindra said.
Kim Cooper, a local historian, expressed concern about the city’s maintenance of the park, which she believes holds historical significance. She described the square as neglected, with issues like litter and homelessness overshadowing its legacy.
Kevin Waite, a history professor at the University of Texas at Dallas and author of a biography on Mason, supports the renaming. He noted that Mason once owned land near the park, making it an appropriate location for her memorial.
“Black civic leaders like Biddy Mason have long struggled for their due,” Waite stated.
Biddy Mason was born into slavery in Mississippi in 1818. She won her freedom in a court case in California in 1856, setting a precedent for freedom in the state. Mason went on to become one of Los Angeles’ most successful landowners.
Cooper acknowledged that the existing memorial dedicated to Mason needs improvements. She suggested adding signs and markers to better inform the public about Mason’s legacy.
Former Councilmember Kevin de León proposed renaming Pershing Square for Mason in 2024. However, the proposal expired without a hearing during a scandal at City Hall.