Philadelphia Historical Commission votes in favor of moving Christopher Columbus statue from Marconi

[TheBlackAdder]

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The Philadelphia Historical Commission on Friday advanced plans to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus in Marconi Plaza, an action that, if taken, would be an acknowledgement of the statue’s legacy of racism and a condemnation of the mobs of armed white men who have recently assaulted protesters in front of the monument.

The vote in favor of moving the statue green-lights the Art Commission to cast the deciding vote, which is expected Aug. 12.

If the Art Commission votes for removal, it will make the Columbus statue the second to be moved in Philadelphia since protests against police brutality and racism erupted after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. Protesters have forced cities across the country to dismantle statues of Columbus, as well as Confederate figures, in a movement to reexamine which historical figures are honored and why.

The commissioners voted by 10-2 in favor of removing the 144-year-old statue, ultimately concluding that if the statue remained in Marconi Plaza, it would continue to be a flash point for protests, making it vulnerable to significant damage and a threat to public safety.

Their approval came with the following conditions: that the statue be moved to an undisclosed, secure location in Philadelphia; that a conservator and firm experienced in relocating important works of art be involved in moving it; that an annual report on the sculpture’s condition be sent to the commission; and that there is a visual recording of the sculpture and its condition prior to its moving.


More at the jump:
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-christopher-columbus-statue-marconi-plaza-removal-pennsylvania-20200724.html

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