The Art Commission has voted to remove the Christopher Columbus statue in Schenley Park. They voted 3-0 in favor of removing the Columbus statue, which was vandalized twice this summer. It follows emotional debates between members of the Italian American community and Native Americans. The statue has stood in Oakland for more than 60 years, a symbol of pride for many Italian Americans.

But Columbus’ days in the park could be numbered. Italian immigrants who settled in Pittsburgh and helped build our community raised the money to build the monument and honor their contributions to our community. “The removal of the statue from Schenley Park is tantamount to erasing the history of Italian Americans and their contributions to the city of Pittsburgh,” said Basil Russo with Italian Sons and Daughters of America.