There is a renewed push to remove a Christopher Columbus statue in Lancaster, and County Commissioner Craig Lehman is spearheading the movement following nationwide protests surrounding racial inequality. Cities, states, and municipalities across the country have removed similar statues.

“My thinking was that this would bring about a necessary nationwide discussion on how the forming of our country impacted indigenous people and a re-evaluation of Christopher Columbus,” Lehman said in a statement. Co-chair of the Lancaster Green Party Timothy Runkle agrees the statue should be removed. He said Columbus has always been a contentious figure.