Chicago removes Christopher Columbus statues

The Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park was removed hours after Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for its removal, Report says, citing Chicago-Sun Times.

Two cranes pulled up to the statue just before 2 a.m. Friday, after hours of vocal confrontations between protesters and supporters of the statue, including John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7.

The decision to take down two monuments to Columbus came after violent clashes between police and protesters broke out last week when activists attempted to tear down a statue of the Italian explorer in Grant Park.

“This statue coming down is because of the effort of Black and Indigenous activists who know the true history of Columbus and what he represents,” said Stefan Cuevas-Caizaguano, a resident watching the removal.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement Friday morning saying the statues were removed until further notice “in response to demonstrations that became unsafe for both protesters and police, as well as efforts by individuals to independently pull the Grant Park state down in an extremely dangerous manner.”

The mayor said a formal process will soon be announced to assess each monument, memorial and mural across the city.