Mayor’s Plan for Columbus Statues in NYC

New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams is pushing for the Christopher Columbus statue to receive an official historic landmark designation. This comes as Zohran Mamdani prepares to assume office at the end of the year.

On Tuesday, Adams expressed his desire to safeguard Columbus statues located in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle and Astoria’s Columbus Square. Interestingly, back in 2020, Mamdani had called for their removal in a social media post, which riled some Italian-Americans in the city.

Adams remarked, “The beauty of New York City is that we celebrate and respect all our diverse communities and cultural heritage.” He emphasized his pride in representing Italian-American heritage.

However, the official landmark designation may have some implications for the statue’s visibility. Adams also acknowledged the contributions of Indigenous communities and announced a new grant program aimed at supporting cultural and artistic projects for these groups.

First Vice Mayor Randy Mastro, who identifies as a “proud Italian-American,” mentioned that applications for historic status would be submitted to the Landmark Preservation Committee by the end of the year, but only if Mamdani wins the mayoral race. He pointed out that Columbus statues hold significant meaning for the Italian-American community.

Adams’s aides have indicated that there will be ample public input and a fair hearing regarding any applications made. Mastro added, “The statues have historical heritage that is undeniable. They are important symbols of Italian heritage.”

In addition to the landmark initiatives, Adams announced a $750,000 fund dedicated to promoting cultural efforts within Indigenous communities. Both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day are noted to occur on the same date, October 13th.

Mastro emphasized the commitment to honoring all communities, stating, “We are not going to show the same ruthless neglect to any community.” However, some views suggest that this landmark move is a counteraction to past criticisms, particularly from Mamdani, who previously advocated for the removal of Columbus-related monuments.

The Columbus statue in Columbus Circle was established in 1896 and gained federal and state landmark status in 2018, with the backing of Governor Andrew Cuomo at that time. Conversely, the statue in Astoria, established in 1941, lacks the same protections. Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Union, has actively pursued landmark status for it.

Vivolo expressed concerns, stating, “This is a move to preempt those who oppose us. The call for removal was insulting to the Italian-American community.” Meanwhile, critics of Columbus, including Mamdani, argue that a focus on his legacy distracts from the historical suffering endured by Indigenous populations during exploration in North America.

In a broader context, former Mayor Bill de Blasio had initiated a committee to assess the fate of various monuments across the city. While Columbus statues were spared from immediate action, critics maintain that they symbolize a troubling history of colonialism and oppression against Indigenous peoples and Africans.

De Blasio had suggested adding plaques to better convey a complete historical narrative alongside these statues.