A sculpture of controversial British explorer and pirate Sir Francis Drake no longer stands by the bay at Larkspur Landing in Marin County.

City of Larkspur crews removed the 30-foot-tall steel artwork early Wednesday morning while it was still dark. 

A statement posted on the city’s website provided this explanation: “The removal is in response to planned demonstrations to tear down or demolish the statue this Thursday in a way that is potentially unsafe. Removing the statue is intended to promote public safety while preserving the statue so that dialogue about its future can continue.” Read full article on SFGate.