Los Angeles City Council Renames Pershing Square to Honor Biddy Mason

The Los Angeles City Council recently voted to rename Pershing Square to celebrate Bridget “Biddy” Mason. Biddy Mason, born into slavery, became a prominent landowner and co-founder of the city’s First African Methodist Episcopal Church, a major Black church in the nation.

The council’s unanimous decision initiates the process of renaming the five-acre plaza near the Biltmore Hotel as Biddy Mason Park. Rev. Timothy E. Tyler of the First AME Church emphasized the importance of this change, stating that it reflects the city’s value for those who contributed significantly to Los Angeles.

Significance of the Renaming

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado highlighted Mason’s embodiment of resilience and hope, urging that the new name better represents Los Angeles’ spirit. The downtown square, one of the city’s oldest parks, has changed names over time. Initially dedicated as La Plaza Abaja in 1866, it was renamed after World War I to honor General Pershing.

There is some opposition to the name change. Courtland Jindra argued that the plaza serves as a tribute not only to General Pershing but also to all World War I soldiers and sailors. Similarly, Kim Cooper, who runs historical tours in Los Angeles, criticized the oversight of the square, pointing out its historical value.

Biddy Mason’s Journey and Legacy

Kevin Waite, a history professor, supports the renaming. He sees Biddy Mason as a significant local figure, as she owned land close to the current square. Mason’s life journey from slavery to becoming a key landowner in Los Angeles underscores her legacy.

Mason was born in 1818 in Mississippi and gained freedom in 1856. After traveling to California where slavery was illegal, she petitioned for her freedom and won. Her legal victory was one of the first challenges to slavery in Los Angeles, setting a precedent for future cases in California.

Community Perspectives

While Mason has a mini-park dedicated to her, some believe it lacks prominence. Kevin Waite mentioned that Biddy Mason’s current memorial is not well-known and could benefit from better visibility. However, Kim Cooper believes the existing memorial site should simply be marked more visibly, rather than renaming a historic World War I memorial.

Robynn Cox, a descendant of Biddy Mason, voiced support for the renaming, backing the proposal first introduced by former councilmember Kevin de León. Despite an initial push in 2024, the initiative lost traction amid a City Hall scandal.