Waterbury Columbus Statue Decapitated

WATERBURY, CT — The Christopher Columbus statue standing in front of Waterbury's city hall on Grant Street has been decapitated, according to The Hartford Courant. The damage was discovered over the weekend and police are investigating.

Waterbury UNICO, an Italian-American organization, announced that it is offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the damage.

"We are saddened by this action of violence as it does not represent the message of thanksgiving the statue embodies to the Italian-American community," the organization wrote in a Facebook post.

Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary said he was "deeply disappointed and disturbed" by the destruction of the statue, The Courant reported. He added that the city is committed to taking action to address systemic racism.

Days before the damage to the statue, two opposing groups stood outside city hall arguing about Columbus's legacy, NBC CT reported.

Columbus statues around the state and country have proved controversial in recent weeks, with many protesters calling for their removal. Some want to honor the explorer's memory, while others see him as a symbol of racial oppression.

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Christopher Columbus Statue Removed In Middletown