COLUMBUS – The Columbus Art Commission will reportedly meet Wednesday to decide the fate of the statue of Christopher Columbus in front of City Hall.
Mayor Andrew Ginther wants it to go. A lawsuit has been filed to stop the removal.
Columbus State Community College has removed its statue of the explorer, who has been accused of genocide and exploiting Indigenous people after he arrived in America in 1492.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says that while he’s not in favor of the removal of statues of Columbus, he’s open to discussions that arise about people’s place in history.
“These type discussions are good,” he said, but added “I don’t think I’m probably going to be in favor of taking Columbus’s statue down.”
DeWine also said that pulling every statute down because someone wasn’t perfect probably isn’t a good idea.
He said he’s not overly bothered by the removal of statues commemorating Confederate soldiers because his great-great-grandfather fought for the Union and was imprisoned in a Confederate prisoner of war camp.