Christopher Columbus Statue Removed Outside Columbus City Hall

NY Post ^ | 07/01/20 | Jackie Salo

[Enlightened1]

A statue of Christopher Columbus was taken down in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday morning amid renewed criticism over the legacy of the explorer.

Crews arrived around 3 a.m. with a crane to remove the bronze statue from its perch outside Columbus City Hall, news station WBNS reported.

The statue, which will be placed for safekeeping in a city facility, had been a gift from the people of Genoa, Italy, in 1955.

But Columbus’ namesake city has experienced renewed calls to re-evaluate symbols associated with him — as critics characterize him as a symbol of white supremacy responsible for the destruction of indigenous cultures.

Mayor Andrew Ginther announced last month that the statue would be coming down, saying it doesn’t represent the city’s values, news station WSYX reported.

“For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness,” Ginther said. “That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past.”

He asked the Columbus Art Commission to evaluate the diversity and inclusiveness of all public art, including other monuments, statues and art installations.

Several statues of Columbus across the country have been vandalized or torn down in recent weeks — including one toppled by protesters in Richmond, Virginia, and another that was beheaded in Camden, New Jersey.

[Tommy Revolts]

“For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness,”

Was he on his knees when he made the announcement?

[Tommy Revolts]

I like it. I’d say we flip the tables on them. There’s a plethora waiting to be had!

[GreyFriar]

Since the word “ohio” also means ‘good morning’ in Japanese, are folks going to demand that the state be renamed because it is a cultural appropriation from Japan?

[Old Yeller]

How soon until Columbus is renamed to Floydsville?

Wouldn't it be Kirbyville?

[Scott from the Left Coast]

They should change it to Sodom...it’s a name everyone on the left can get behind.

[GranTorino]

Tecumsehville?

[Right Brigade]

What are they changing the city name to?

Shithole on the Scioto!

[RightField]

So sad. I remember when that statute was donated to the city and erected with great ceremony. Though I was only 5 or 6 at the time, I do remember the event.

I was born and raised in Columbus. It used to be such a nice place. I believe it was one of the first "All American Cities," back when that designation was popular. So much has changed since I left in 1971, I hardly recognize the place. The squalor and deterioration of the areas around downtown are pathetic.