COLUMBUS — Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther ordered the statue of Christopher Columbus outside city hall will be removed as soon as possible, according to our news partners at WBNS-TV.
Depictions of the Italian explorer who is credited with discovering North America have come under fire recently, with critics citing Columbus’ cruelty and poor treatment to indigenous people.
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As a part of Ginther’s order, the statue will be removed and placed into storage, the station reports.
“For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarch, oppression, and divisiveness. That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past,” Ginther said in a statement to WBNS-TV. “Now is the right time to replace this statue with artwork that demonstrates our enduring fight to end racism and celebrate themes of diversity and inclusion.”
The Columbus Art Commission will be tasked with finding a replacement for the statue with public artwork that “better reflects the people of Columbus and offers a shared vision for the future.”