Two weeks ago Detroit Mayor Dave Bing declined a Twitter suggestion that he erect a statue of RoboCop – the half-cop, half-machine of the 1987 science-fiction movie – in the Motor City. But the vigorous, chaotic energy of social media may make the statue a reality despite much criticism among Detroiters.

First, came the Facebook page “Build a statue of RoboCop in Detroit,” started by Detroiter John Leonard. That lead to a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter to make a seven-foot iron statue of RoboCop.  The money is flowing. More than 1,100 backers have pledged over $21,000 toward a $50,000 goal, which needs to be raised by March 26. The statue would stand in the shadow of the city’s most infamous ruin, the former Michigan Central Station.

“RoboCop has become a very suitable icon to represent Detroit and deserves a place in this city’s history,” reads the original RoboCop Facebook post. “As Detroit continues to redefine itself into the 21st century — please help to truly make this the coolest city on earth.”

The problem is many detest the idea. The popular local blogger, Joe Posch, creator of Supergay Detroit, penned 10 reasons not to build the statue. “It is insulting to Detroit and to Detroiters who have lived here through the worst,” Posch blogged. “The reason Detroit is the setting for RoboCop is because the city is considered a hellhole. The statue would serve as a perpetual reminder that Detroit holds the distinction of being the most believable dystopia in America.”

Jerry Paffendorf, one of the RoboCop’s campaign backers, says he is stunned by the passionate outcry against it. He says he’s received dozens of e-mails to stop the campaign. “I don’t know what to do with that,” he says. Apparently not stop the hype. “In the end, I think its a very healthy dialogue about art, about the potential of online fund raising for art projects, and bringing more attention to Detroit.”