City of Newark removes statue of Christopher Columbus overnight
A statue of Christopher Columbus in Newark's Washington Park was taken down overnight.
News 12 Staff
•
Jun 26, 2020, 4:39 PM
•
Updated 1,397 days ago
Share:
More Stories
1:49
Rally held in Paterson to mark 1 year anniversary of George Floyd’s death
1,063ds ago0:14
Prosecutor: Man admits to trying to set police car on fire during Trenton riot
1,069ds ago0:39
Maplewood Middle School holds discussions on racism following Derek Chauvin verdict
1,096ds ago1:56
Paterson works to strengthen trust between police and community in post-Chauvin guilty verdict
1,098ds ago2:15
Paterson officials work to regain trust between community and police
1,098ds ago3:33
Hoboken PD Chief: Floyd death hurt police-community relations across the country
1,098ds ago1:49
Rally held in Paterson to mark 1 year anniversary of George Floyd’s death
1,063ds ago0:14
Prosecutor: Man admits to trying to set police car on fire during Trenton riot
1,069ds ago0:39
Maplewood Middle School holds discussions on racism following Derek Chauvin verdict
1,096ds ago1:56
Paterson works to strengthen trust between police and community in post-Chauvin guilty verdict
1,098ds ago2:15
Paterson officials work to regain trust between community and police
1,098ds ago3:33
Hoboken PD Chief: Floyd death hurt police-community relations across the country
1,098ds agoA statue of Christopher Columbus in Newark's Washington Park was taken down overnight.
In a statement, Mayor Ras Baraka says “In keeping with the movement to remove symbols of oppression and white supremacy, we have decided to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus from Washington Park."
LIVE BLOG: George Floyd protesters around the tri-state area and U.S.
MORE: Photos from protests over death of George Floyd
MORE: Photos from protests over death of George Floyd
The mayor said that crews took it down in a safe manner to avoid the potential danger of people toppling it themselves.
Baraka also added, “The removal of this statue should not be perceived as an insult to the Italian-American community. It is a statement against the barbarism, enslavement, and oppression that this explorer represents.”
Photos: Protests Held Across New Jersey
The mayor also said the statue will be kept in storage until the city decides what to do with it.
