A replica of a Christopher Columbus statue was placed on the White House grounds Sunday, constructed from pieces of a monument that protesters destroyed six years ago.
A Statue Rebuilt
The 13-foot, one-ton replica was originally toppled in Baltimore in 2020 and subsequently thrown into the city’s inner harbor. The statue was commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations and is intended as part of the White House’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
The replica now stands outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Artists retrieved marble fragments from the harbor and used them to recreate the statue after Baltimore officials declined to reinstall it.
Basil M. Russo, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, stated that “Columbus statues have long stood as symbols of pride and cultural identity for more than 18 million Americans of Italian descent.” He further explained that Columbus’s legacy has been a source of unity for Italian Americans navigating prejudice and hardship for over a century.
Controversial History
The original Baltimore statue was toppled in July 2020 by Black Lives Matter activists who cited Columbus’s role in the exploitation of native peoples in the Americas. The statue had been dedicated in 1984 by former Mayor William Donald Schaefer and former President Ronald Reagan.
At the time of the original statue’s destruction, a spokesperson for Baltimore’s then Mayor Jack Young acknowledged that the monument “may represent different things to different people,” and that the situation was part of a larger national narrative.
President Trump signed a proclamation last year hailing Columbus as an American hero, declaring, “Columbus Day — we’re back, Italians. We love the Italians.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the original Baltimore statue destroyed?
The original Baltimore statue was toppled in July 2020 by Black Lives Matter activists and thrown into the city’s inner harbor.
Who commissioned the replica statue?
The replica statue was commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations.
Where is the replica statue located?
The replica statue is located outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House grounds.
How will the installation of this statue affect ongoing conversations about historical representation and public monuments remains to be seen.
