Before Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Philadelphia’s Columbus statue is painted with an Italian flag
On the eve of Indigenous Peoples’ Day — a day that was once meant to honor Christopher Columbus — the statue of him in Philadelphia’s Marconi Plaza will stay wrapped in plastic. The future of the monument is uncertain, however it was repainted this year in the Italian national colors.
Plywood has been used to conceal the monument for over two years now. Vertical stripes in the Italian flag’s colors of green, red, and white have been added to its design as of late.
It has been rumored that council member Mark Squilla requested the painting be done, and the city official obliged.
Squilla represents the First District on the City Council, which includes the area immediately adjacent to Marconi Park. The Marconi Plaza is not a part of his plan, but he has been making consistent efforts to ally with the organization by removing a statue of Christopher Columbus, the legendary slave-trade explorer.
George Bochetto, an attorney, stated the store would open in time for the unpacking event on October 7th, before Columbus Day.
In response to a June 2020 protest, Mayor Jim Kenney formally requested that the court order the removal of the statue of Christopher Columbus because of his notorious role in the enslavement of Indigenous people. Bochetto has been resisting the notice in an effort to keep the statue in the plaza.
Pro-Columbus graffiti, signs, and artwork appeared during the protest period, and wire sculptures of the Nia, Pinta, and Santa Maria were erected to the monument’s perimeter.