Christopher Columbus received a powerful endorsement from the Old World in Manhattan on Tuesday as New York City politicians weigh the possibility of removing his statues and other now-controversial historical figures.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni deliberately visited the district’s famous Columbus Circle to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Columbus, just hours after City Hall held a hearing on proposed legislation targeting monuments and other works of art featuring the explorer, as well as people like George. Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni placed a wreath at the statue located in the center of Columbus Circle, one of the most famous in the United States that represents Christopher Columbus,” said a statement from Meloni’s office, which was found in the city. for the annual United Nations General Assembly.
“Through this important reaffirmation of identity, the President celebrated a symbol of the cultural and moral history of the American people.”
The Italian leader stood by the statue during a moment of silence, to honor Columbus ahead of the US holiday of October 12 in his honour, before being mobbed by the Italian media.
“A Bronx Tale” actor Chazz Palminteri, an Italian-American activist and defender of Columbus’ legacy, said Meloni’s presence says it all.
“The Prime Minister makes a statement: We will not get rid of Columbus! That vacation is our day. Canceling Columbus is not going to happen,” Palminteri, also known for his role in “Bullets Over Broadway,” told The Post in a phone interview.
Christopher Columbus received a powerful endorsement from the Old World in Manhattan on Tuesday as New York City politicians weigh whether to remove his statues and other now-controversial historical figures.Christopher Sadowski
“We Italians stick together, whether here or in Italy,” the actor said.
“I say to the prime minister: ‘Thank you for coming.’ Thank you for supporting Italian Americans.” “
Meloni’s visit came on the day of a council hearing on a series of bills, including one that could allow the city’s Public Design Commission to remove monuments to historical figures such as Washington, Jefferson and Peter Stuyvesant, who were slave owners, and Columbus, who has been criticized for abusing indigenous people during his discoveries of the New World.
“Meloni showed Italian Americans that we have their support and the support of the Italian people; we are not forgotten,” said Joseph Scelsa, president of the Italian-American Museum, who attended the wreath-laying event.
Still, even with the bill, it would be difficult to tear down the Columbus monument on Columbus Circle.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni visited the statue at Columbus Circle to participate in a ceremony honoring Columbus hours after the City Council held a hearing on proposed legislation targeting monuments and other works of art. Jennifer Mitchell / SplashNews.com
In 2018, the National Park Service added the 129-year-old, 76-foot statue near Central Park to its list of protected places.
But other Columbus statues across the city could be on the chopping block.
During Tuesday’s public hearing, the bill’s author, Brooklyn Councilwoman Sandy Nurse, insisted that she is trying to correct history, not cancel it.
Under the proposal, the city’s Public Design Commission could remove statues from the public square because of their controversial legacies with slavery or the mistreatment of indigenous people.
The PDC could also install plaques next to the statutes explaining the honoree’s misdeeds.
Meloni stood by the statue during a moment of silence, to honor Columbus ahead of the US holiday on October 12 in his honour, before being mobbed by the Italian media. Jared Downing
“It is a recognition of the historical injustices that continue to plague our cities. “This bill allows New York City to confront the deeply rooted legacies of slavery, colonization, and systemic crimes against humanity,” Nurse said.
“By contextualizing or demanding the removal of works of art that depict people who benefited from Black slavery or committed heinous acts against Indigenous people, we challenge celebrations of those who have perpetuated oppression,” he said.
Nurse said the city’s public spaces “are not neutral spaces” and influence public opinion.
“This bill is not an erasure of history, far from it. In reality, telling the whole story is an action of remembrance and truth, rather than an action of convenience,” Nurse said.
“It affirms that the stories we tell and the art we display must reflect the values of equity, inclusion, and recognition of the struggles marginalized communities endure.”
His visit came on the day of a council hearing on a series of bills, including one that will allow the Public Design Commission to remove statues of Columbus, who is criticized for abusing indigenous people while discovering the New World. Italian American Museum
During her testimony, Sideya Sherman, commissioner of Mayor Eric Adams’ Office of Equity, raised objections to how the legislation for the removal of historical figures by statute was formed, and the decision was left to the independent Public Design Commission of 11 members.
“We have concerns regarding the appropriateness of the identified agencies in alignment with existing efforts and requirements,” Sherman said.
According to the law, the mayor has only one representative among the 11 members of the PDC.
Seven others are nominated by the Federation of Fine Arts and the remaining three are representatives of the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum and the New York Public Library.
Palminteri said it is unfair to judge people by comparing current morality to events from more than 500 years ago.
In 2018, the National Park Service added the 129-year-old, 76-foot statue near Central Park to its list of protected places, but other Columbus statues across the city could be on the chopping block.GNMiller/NYPost
“People who get out of prison have second chances,” he said.
“It has become crazy. It’s just about power and wanting to be re-elected. He goes look for a job. Let’s see what real people are dealing with,” Palminteri said of critics.
Another Italian-American activist went further.
“The radical left will stop at nothing to erase our history and heritage, and destroy monuments that honor the nation’s Founding Fathers and those who worked to establish our great country,” said Mike Sapraicone, co-chair of the National Memorial Day Parade. Race in New York. City of York.
“These liberal Democrats on the City Council, who have already caused so much damage across the five boroughs, are the epitome of un-American.”
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