Philadelphia's mayor said he is 'disappointed' that a court ordered the city to remove a plywood box covering a statue of Christopher Columbus.
A spokesperson for Jim Kenney said the office believes the statue should be removed from Marconi Plaza, noting that it"has been a source of controversy" in the city. It is covered by a large box that a district city council member requested be painted green, white and red to mirror the Italian flag.
Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt handed down her ruling on Friday, telling the city that if it disagrees with the statue's"message" it can add a plaque that is"more in line with the message the City wishes to convey," court documents state. The mayor's office said while it respects Leavitt's decision, it will"continue to explore our options for a way forward that allows Philadelphians to celebrate their heritage and culture while respecting the histories and circumstances of everyone’s different backgrounds."
In a 2020 letter, the mayor said that while supporters of Columbus revered him as an explorer he had a"much more infamous" history and enslaved Indigenous people and imposed punishments such as severing limbs or murder.
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