Andrew J. Ginther, the mayor of Columbus, Ohio, announced that a Christopher Columbus statue outside City Hall will be removed and placed in storage.
The mayor wants the Columbus Art Commission to lead an effort to replace the statue with art that “better reflects the people of Columbus and offers a shared vision for the future,” according to a news release.
Columbus is named for the famous Italian explorer.
“For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness. That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past,” Ginther said in a statement. “Now is the right time to replace this statue with artwork that demonstrates our enduring fight to end racism and celebrate the themes of diversity and inclusion.
“By replacing the statue, we are removing one more barrier to meaningful and lasting change to end systemic racism,” Ginther added. “Its removal will allow us to remain focused on critical police reforms and increasing equity in housing, health outcomes, education and employment.”
For years, the city was home to a replica of the Santa María, one of the three ships Columbus used on his 1492 journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
