Christopher Columbus Memorial Vandalized: Waltham Police

WALTHAM, MA — Police say the Christopher Columbus memorial on the Waltham Common has been the target of several incidents of vandalism in recently. Now police are looking for the public's help to find who's been lobbing it with paint.

Police released a photo of the monument with red paint dripping down the front and it sparked a conversation among folks on social media. Some wondered whether it's time for the monument to be removed altogether from the Common.

"I don’t approve of vandalism, but Christopher Columbus was a horrible person who should not be honoured in any way," one woman posted to social media in response to the photo. She said she thought the monument should be taken down.

But not everyone agreed.

"History needs to be realized in the context of the times," responded one man. "In the 1400’s his behavior was absolutely tolerated and considered the normal way to handle the situation. In the context of that time he was a great explorer and paved the way to this continent. Everyone acted the same way then. If he were alive today and setting foot in America for the first time this same man would do things completely differently. You need to understand that man of 500 years ago behaved very differently than now. Stop trying to put today’s ideals on those from that long ago. History will show that Columbus was one of the great innovators."

Police are asking you call WPD Detectives at 781-314-3550 if you have any info.

Photo courtesy Waltham Police. What's your opinion on the Columbus monument? Email Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com and let me know.