nothin Parks Commission Votes To Remove Columbus… | New Haven Independent

Parks Commission Votes To Remove Columbus Statue

Thomas Breen Photo

August expiration date: The Wooster Square Columbus Statue.

New Haven’s Parks Commission plans to remove the Christopher Columbus statue from Wooster Square Park within 60 days and look for a possible new home.

The commission, which owns the statue, unanimously came to that agreement at its monthly meeting held virtually on Wednesday night.

The meeting followed a fast-paced civic consensus around removing the controversial statue, beginning last week with a petition drive calling, followed by a letter of support from local Italian-American leaders. (Read about that here.) The decision comes as protesters nationwide are toppling or calling for removal of public statues of historic figures with racist or genocidal pasts. Columbus statues are also being removed in Middletown and Hartford.

At the Parks meeting, a reporter asked Chair David Belowsky when the commission will remove the circa 1892 statue.

I’d say within 60 days,” he responded.

Before the vote, Belowsky asked Commissioner Kevin Walton, who had to leave early, if he supports the decision to remove the statue.

Remove the holiday while you’re at it. And change the school name too,” Walton replied.

For the Parks Commission, the removal is now a matter of logistics. Which is currently a work in progress.

We’ll ask the Knights of Columbus if they want” the statue for the organization’s museum, Belowsky said.

City parks chief William Carone said he’s in the process of scoping out cost estimates for removal.

You’ll need your own crane if nobody else wants it,” said commissioner Hector Torres. I know some crane companies. I’ll get you one.”

Commissioners spoke of inviting Italian-American leaders such as Frank Carrano and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro to form an advisory committee on the statute’s removal. Commissioners Belowsky and Carl Babb said they would serve on the committee.

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