Providence's Columbus Statute To Be Removed

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence's Christopher Columbus statue will be removed, Providence Mayor Jorge Elora announced Thursday. There has been a renewed call for the statute's removal in recent weeks, given Columbus' involvement with slavery.

"We want our community’s voice centered in the decisions made around the memorials, historical markers and monuments that represent our city," Elorza said. "These works should reflect the vibrancy of our neighborhoods and be a source of pride for the residents who live within them. Through this Committee, we are allowing the community to take an active role in shaping these decisions and hope that through future projects, we can better reflect the collective memory of our beautiful city in these landmarks."

The statute's future will lie with the city's new Special Committee for Commemorative Works, which is tasked with engaging with the community about works of art, assessing application for new works of art and reviewing whether historical works should be relocated, removed or modified. The committee is made up of six people who will review the statute and offer a recommendation to the Board of Parks Commissioners, who will make the final decision.

Read more: RI Columbus Statue Embodies False Idea Of Identity, Says Activist

The statue has been the subject of hot debate in recent weeks and months. Christopher Columbus, while a hero in Italian American culture, has been criticized in recent years for his connections with slavery and oppression of native people.

Joseph Gizzarelli, a leader of the movement to relocate the statue, called the glorification of Columbus "a sliver of history viewed through nostalgia." He called for the statute to be moved to a museum, where it can be enjoyed but also historically contextualized.

The statue is a frequent subject of vandalism. Last year, it was twice splashed with red paint, and three people were arrested earlier this month after trying to splash paint on the monument, which was boarded up and fenced in an effort to protect it.