New York Mayor Bill de Blasio Considering Taking Down City’s Christopher Columbus Statue

In the wake of the violence in Charlottesville during a white nationalist rally centered on the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he would conduct a 90-day review of symbols of hate in his city.

After the violent events in Charlottesville, New York City will conduct a 90-day review of all symbols of hate on city property.

— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 16, 2017

It now looks possible that de Blasio may consider one of Manhattan’s most famous statues as such a symbol.

As reported by CBS News, the mayor said during last night’s Democratic mayor debate that the statue is under review, stating that “[w]e have to look at everything here.”

Earlier in the week, one of de Blasio’s key allies in the city council spoke out against the statue, calling Columbus a “controversial figure” for many.

“I will wait for the commission, as I said Christopher Columbus is a controversial figure to many of us particularly in the Caribbean and I think that that has to be looked at, when you have to look at history we have to look at it thoroughly and clearly,” City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said during a rally calling for another statue to be taken down.

Meanwhile, de Blasio’s likely GOP opponent in the upcoming election, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, has defended the statue, claiming it represents the “founder of our nation.”

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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