The statue of het Lieverdje (the Street urchin) by sculptor Carel Kneulman has become the symbol of Amsterdam protest movements. On May 2 1959, a plaster statue was unveiled at the nearby Spui square. Kneulman made the statuette on behalf of a committee that promoted activities for the youth of Amsterdam. Eventually the plaster statue was replaced by a bronze copy that was unveiled on September 10 1960. Funding was provided by a tobacco manufacturer. In subsequent years, it became a meeting point for the Provos and the center of all kinds of playful and rebellious events.