“…city officials working behind the scenes…”
This is anecdotal, based on my experience producing “Monumental Error” for Harper’s Magazine, and is true of a number of different organizations in the city. However, for example, see Hallman, J.C., “Monumental Error,” Harper’s Magazine, November 2017, p. 35.
“The vote to remove the Sims monument…”
“City Orders Sims Statue Removed from Central Park,” William Neuman, New York Times, April 16, 2018.
“…came down in April 2018.”
See “The vote to remove the Sims monument…,” above.