SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Mayor Ben Walsh, as first reported by Syracuse.com, announced the removal of the Christopher Columbus Statue from the Columbus Circle on Friday. The statue will undergo some renovations and then be placed at a private site for people to visit.
The Mayor came to his decision from recommendations from the Columbus Circle Action group. Group member Greg Loh said the group did not decide on one specific recommendation.
“The group was not able to arrive at a singular recommendation,” Loh said. “Particularly on that really most challenging point, which is should the statue stay or should the statue go.”
Before the formation of the Columbus Circle Action Group, there were three dialogue groups formed to discuss the issues of the statue. Then the groups gave recommendations to the mayor.
“And one of the things that was recommended that the mayor liked in that report was the idea of creating a heritage, education and learning center,” Loh said.
Many are angry with the mayor’s decision, but history professor Margret Thompson at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs said the history of Christopher Columbus and the city of Syracuse will not be lost.
“It’s called books,” Thompson said. “It’s called actual history. A statue is not actual history. A statue does not tell you anything except that at some point in our past, somebody thought it was important to erect a statue of this individual.”
The annual wreath laying ceremony took place on Oct. 12 at the Columbus Circle. Joe Russo, a Syracuse resident, believes the fight over whether to take down the statue or not will only continue.
“I’m very disappointed, I’m saddened, and I think that this doesn’t end the controversy, it only intensifies it,” Russo said.
Russo and many other Italian Americans are upset about the statue, but for Stefania Ianno, she believes she can still celebrate her heritage.
“As an Italian American person, I can stand here and still celebrate being Italian American and always be in support in taking the statue down,” Ianno said. “I’m of a certain generation where I have native friends, and I just have a very strong belief that when certain symbols still exist certain racisms might still exist.”
The mayor continues to look for a private site for the statue where people can visit, learn, and remember the history of Christopher Columbus.
