To: Bill DeBlasio, Mayor of New York City and the New York City Council
Remove the Columbus Statue in NYC
Mayor DeBlasio should remove the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle from public display.
Why is this important?
We are calling on you to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus, who committed genocide against indigenous people. He enslaved, raped, and killed them without mercy.
There should be a standard of behavior behind the people we choose to celebrate. We shouldn’t idolize someone who enslaved, raped, and killed indigenous people. Leaving the Columbus statue up makes it seem like the things he did were okay. It’s a sign of hate that shouldn’t be on public display.
We understand that, to some, Columbus represents also Italian heritage, but Italian Americans don’t have to rely on Christopher Columbus’s legacy in order to be proud of their heritage. The statue should be taken down because NYC is a very diverse place, with all types of people, including Native Americans who feel hurt or intimidated by the display of this statue.
There should be a standard of behavior behind the people we choose to celebrate. We shouldn’t idolize someone who enslaved, raped, and killed indigenous people. Leaving the Columbus statue up makes it seem like the things he did were okay. It’s a sign of hate that shouldn’t be on public display.
We understand that, to some, Columbus represents also Italian heritage, but Italian Americans don’t have to rely on Christopher Columbus’s legacy in order to be proud of their heritage. The statue should be taken down because NYC is a very diverse place, with all types of people, including Native Americans who feel hurt or intimidated by the display of this statue.