Five years after Christopher Columbus statues were vandalized across the U.S. in the context of “social justice,” the topic has resurfaced with the Columbus Day holiday approaching.
Zoran Mamdani, a candidate for mayor from the Socialist Party in New York City, has been vocal about various radical views, including those concerning Columbus and the Italians credited with discovering America. An old post on his X account from June 2020 features him with a Columbus statue in the background, with a playful caption saying, “Please put me down.”
Conversely, some groups have fought to advocate for Italian Americans since the statue incidents. Basil Russo, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Associations, expressed strong disapproval of Mamdani’s stance, describing it as harmful to the Italian American community. He urged Mamdani to show the same respect to Italian Americans as he claims to offer to other groups if he wins the election. Russo emphasized that sometimes it’s necessary to acknowledge when one is wrong and reassess their views.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sought to protect Columbus statues at Columbus Circle and Astoria’s Columbus Square by designating them as historic landmarks to stave off any potential removals should Mamdani take office. Adams declared that New York City thrives on celebrating its diverse cultural heritage, especially emphasizing its significant Italian population.
Following a period of unrest in 2020 over racial injustice, frustrations were directed toward Columbus, with accusations of genocide against him. In one incident during a protest in St. Paul, Minnesota, a statue was dragged down by a mob while authorities looked on.
Similarly, a statue in Boston was beheaded at night. Russo noted that much of the anti-Columbus sentiment stems from misunderstandings around the history of Columbus Day, which honors a brutal chapter in American history—specifically, the largest mass lynching of Italian immigrants in 1891.
He explained that Columbus Day emerged partly as a response to these events, with then-President Benjamin Harrison declaring it a national celebration in 1892 to promote acceptance of Italian immigrants amid public outrage and a strained relationship between Italy and the U.S.
Interestingly, Russo pointed out the contradiction in some protesters who sought to tear down Columbus’s statue while advocating for immigrant acceptance. He highlighted the significant contributions of Italian Americans, including their vital role in building New York City’s infrastructure and their notable military service in World War II.
Across the nation, there have been reports of vandalism targeting Columbus statues. For instance, in Miami, one statue was spray-painted, and in Richmond, another was pulled down and tossed into a river. Some cities have opted to remove their Columbus statues due to repeated acts of vandalism, like New Haven, Connecticut, which recently relocated its statue to a museum.
While Biden had declared Indigenous Peoples Day to be observed on the second Monday of October, the official status of Columbus Day has not changed. Recently, President Donald Trump reaffirmed the holiday, generating some applause during a Cabinet meeting where he recognized Columbus as a hero, which some see as a shift in the national conversation surrounding this contentious figure.
Russo appreciated Trump’s support, believing it highlights Columbus’s contributions and relevance to the Italian American community. He noted that this acknowledgment is crucial for preserving a legacy they wish to pass down through generations.
