This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Fearless Girl statue considered by many to symbolize female empowerment has been removed from its position facing the Charging Bull of New York’s financial district – but will soon be installed in front of the stock exchange instead. The snorting bull is moving, too, but its destination is a mystery, and it’s unclear if it will again be paired with its feminist opponent.

The bronze ponytailed girl standing with hands on hips was installed in March 2017 opposite the longstanding bull at the bottom end of Broadway in Manhattan. The pair’s juxtaposition became a selfie hit and a new symbol of the gender-equality movement.

State Street Global Advisors, a financial services company, installed Kristen Visbal’s statue as part of an initiative to encourage companies to put women on their boards.

It attracted some initial controversy but Fearless Girl’s planned tenure of a few weeks was extended to a year. Officials decided it would be reinstalled around the corner on Wall Street, near the New York stock exchange, by the end of 2018.

State Street said that Fearless Girl was removed from her spot on Tuesday night. A plaque that reads “Fearless Girl is on the move to the New York Stock Exchange” is now installed in its stead.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The new plaque after Fearless Girl’s removal. Photograph: Richard Drew/AP

The plaque, which features two small footprints, also states: “Until she’s there, stand for her. #FearlessGirl.”

Meanwhile, much to the chagrin of the Charging Bull sculptor, Arturo Di Modica, the city also plans to move his work to a spot somewhere near the stock exchange.

Di Modica strongly opposed moving Charging Bull, his lawyer, Norman Siegel, told the Guardian, contending that city officials could not just uproot it.

“The message is: do not move it. Leave it alone,” Siegel said. It is unclear when or where Charging Bull will be moved.

Neither Visbal nor Di Modica could immediately be reached for comment.

While Fearless Girl has been heralded by many as promoting gender parity in corporate leadership, the Guardian reported that State Street had previously opposed shareholders’ proposals for equality, and that State Street was scrutinized by regulators following claims women there endured pay discrimination.