PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ruled in favor of those fighting against the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue from Marconi Plaza.
The decision affirms a lower court ruling that struck down decisions by Philadelphia's License and Inspections board as well as the city historical commission.
The trial court said the city did not establish that the statue’s removal was necessary in the public interest, and said correct procedures for its action weren’t followed.
The statue, made in Italy, was installed in 1876 for the city’s U.S. centennial celebration, but its presence led to controversy rooted in Columbus’ legacy of brutality against the native people of the caribbean.
That sentiment erupted in 2020 as racial justice protests related to the death of George Floyd spread in Philadelphia and across the country. As armed citizens attempted to defend the statue from potentially being removed by protesters, the city enclosed the statue in a box.
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City officials planned to remove the statue, but groups of citizens filed three lawsuits aiming to keep the statue there. In October, Councilmember Mark Squilla asked for the box to be painted in the colors of the Italian flag.
Some Italian-Americans revere Columbus as a symbol of their heritage, but his once-heroic status has been nuanced by a more thorough understanding of his record of abusing and enslaving people living in the territory he is credited with “discovering.”
“We are very disappointed in the Court’s ruling. We continue to believe that the Christopher Columbus statue, which has been a source of controversy in Philadelphia, should be removed from its current position at Marconi Plaza,” Kevin Lessard, spokesperson for Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement Friday.
The tri-color plywood box encapsulating the statue was still intact as of Friday afternoon. About 40 Italian-American supporters gathered at the statue as word of the ruling spread.
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In an interview with KYW Newsradio in South Philadelphia, George Bochetto, the attorney for the Friends of Marconi Plaza, said a representative of the city law department told him it would be removed.
“They have assured me that they are coming here promptly to take the box down,” said Bochetto.
“They did not define promptly. They did say promptly. We’re going to hold them to it. If they don’t do it promptly, we’ll come up with another way of doing it.”
The Kenney administration’s statement left open the possibility it would pursue another avenue to appease those who oppose the statue.
“We are continuing to review the Court’s latest ruling and are working to comply with the Court’s orders, including unboxing,” the administration said. “While we will respect this decision, we will also continue to explore our options for a way forward that allows Philadelphians to celebrate their heritage and culture while respecting the histories and circumstances of everyone’s different backgrounds.”
Pat Loeb contributed to this report.