Christopher Columbus statue taken down hours after Lightfoot ordered its removal
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | July 24, 2020 | Tom Schuba
Posted on 7/24/2020, 7:11:13 AM by PBRCat
The Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park was removed hours after Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for its removal.
Two cranes pulled their way up to the statue just before 2 a.m. Friday, after hours of vocal confrontations between protestors and supporters of the statue, including John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7.
The decision to take down two monuments to Columbus came after violent clashes between police and protesters broke out last week when activists attempted to tear down a statue of the Italian explorer in Grant Park.
“This statue coming down is because of the effort of Black and Indigenous activists who know the true history of Columbus and what he represents,” said Stefan Cuevas-Caizaguano, a resident watching the removal.
The monument was removed about 3 a.m. Crews were also preparing to remove another statue in Arrigo Park on the Near West Side.
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) told the Chicago Sun-Times late Thursday that Lightfoot made “a unilateral decision” to take down the statues. Hopkins said the intention was to have them removed Thursday night.
“At this hour, there is discussion about postponing the removal, but the mayor has not indicated any reversal of her decision,” he said.
The mayor’s office didn’t respond to multiple requests seeking comment.
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