Senator Jeff Klein submits over 1,000 signatures to city to save Columbus Statue

Signatures were presented to the city’s commision reviewing public art at Monday’s public hearing in The Bronx

Bronx, NY - Over 1,000 signatures from a petition drive led by Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) to save the Columbus Statue were submitted to city’s commission reviewing public art at their Bronx public hearing Monday morning. A host of elected officials, including Senator Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx), kicked off the petition drive last month at the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade.

Community leader Joanne Rubino handed in the signatures on behalf of the elected officials while testifying in favor of saving the Columbus Statue at the public hearing at Bronx Borough Hall. The final public hearing will take place tomorrow in Staten Island.

“It is offensive to tear down an important part of Italian-American history in New York City and we will not stand for it. The statue of Christopher Columbus represents the Italian immigrants’ voyage to New York City at a time when the group faced rampant discrimination. Today we sent a strong message to the city that the Columbus Statue must stay,” said Senator Klein.

"The statue does not represent the explorer, it represents the experience of the Italian immigrant. Italians stretch from every corner of New York State, and I applaud the countless individuals who have also stepped up to voice their opposition to potentially removing the Columbus Statue,” said Senator Savino.

“The Columbus Statue represents the many Italian-American immigrants who came to this country for a better life. I am proud to stand in opposition to the potential removal of the statue with so many other New York City residents. We will continue to fight so that this symbol stays standing for generations to come,” said Assemblyman Gjonaj.