Future Of South Philly Christopher Columbus Statue Uncertain

PHILADELPHIA — After armed men gathered at the Christopher Columbus statue in Marconi Plaza in South Philadelphia over the weekend, Mayor Jim Kenney said the city is now looking into the statue's future.

According to the mayor's office, the city plans to initiate a public process to consider the future of the statue

Kenney asked Public Art Director Margot Berg to initiate a process regarding the statue's future through the Philadelphia Art Commission.

In a letter to Berg, Kenney asked for the "possible removal" of the statue.

"The Christopher Columbus statue has been a source of controversy in Philadelphia, as have similar installations across our country," Kenney said. "Christopher Columbus, like many historical figures, has supporters and detractors. For centuries, he has been venerated with the stories of his traversing the Atlantic and 'discovering' the 'New World.' However, his history is much more infamous. Mistakenly believing he had found a new route to India, Columbus enslaved indigenous people and punished those who failed to meet his expected service by severing limbs, or in some cases, murder."

No decision has been made on whether the city will remove the statue.

However, a box has been set up around the statue Tuesday in order to preserve it while the Art Commission process is followed, the city said.

A timeline for the public process is still pending.

A large group of men, some armed with bats, hammers and even firearms, gathered at the statue over the weekend and clashed with opposing groups.

Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner took to Twitter to denounce the group out to ostensibly protect the statue.

Nearby cities Wilmington and Camden recently removed their statues of Columbus.