Less than a week after Columbus State Community College announced it was removing its statue of Christopher Columbus, the city says it will do the same, taking down the statue in front of City Hall.
The statue on the Broad Street side of City Hall and another on the CSCC campus were vandalized Tuesday night. A third statue of the explorer stands at the Ohio statehouse.
Mayor Andrew Ginther says it's time to remove the statue many see as a symbol of "patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness".
"That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past. Now is the time to replace this state with artwork that demonstrates our enduring fight to end racism and celebrate the themes of diversity and inclusion."
Ginther says he will ask the Columbus Arts Commission to launch public process to replace the statue. And he will also ask them to reevaluate the city seal and flag, and make recommendations for change.
The City Hall statue was a gift to the city in 1955 from sister city Genoa, Italy, Columbus' birthplace. The Arts Commission, which is established in city code to oversee public art in the city, will determine the future of the Columbus statue.
