The New London City Council has voted to permanently remove the city's Christopher Columbus statue. New London Mayor Michael Passero decided to remove the statue last week to protect it from more potential vandalism. It was taken down on Sunday.

At a virtual meeting Tuesday, more than 60 spoke before city councilors passed an ordinance stating that the statue will be permanently removed and not displayed anywhere in the city on public property. Councilors said they were in agreement on the vote, though one did not officially enter a vote because his iPad died.