Battle Over Columbus Statue in Providence Emerges, As Statues Are Destroyed Across U.S.

Battle Over Columbus Statue in Providence Emerges, As Statues Are Destroyed Across U.S.

A Providence City Councilman has said that the historic statue of Christopher Columbus in his ward, which has been subject to vandalism in the past, should remain in its current location, as statues are being destroyed around the country.

A leading Civil Rights leader and former State Representative, however, is calling on the Rhode Island Island School of Design (RISD) to take the statue in, both for its historic and artistic value — and to preserve it.

This past week, statues of Columbus were damaged and destroyed in the U.S in Minnesota and Virginia — and one in the North End of Boston was beheaded by vandals.

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“I don’t agree that it should be moved to RISD, or anywhere else,” said Providence Councilman Jim Taylor. “It was built by Gorham and given to the Elmwood Association. It’s up to the Elmwood residents to ever say if they don’t want it there.”

“The argument [last fall after the last vandalism] was that Federal Hill would protect it. Well, we just saw what happened in the North End,” said Taylor.  “I’ve expressed my concerns with Providence Police and [Deputy Chief Thomas] Verdi, and in addition to the cameras they have there, the police have had a steady presence when it gets dark.”

“It’s history, and I know that Columbus did some bad things. But you can look at Brown University and its slave history.  We need to figure out where we go from here — it’s been there 127 years,” said Taylor of the statue. “ I don’t condone vandalism. I think right now there’s a lot of people working on emotion and that’s not the right way.”

Rickman on the Record

“I think Columbus’ time has come and gone, but I don’t think his statue has come and gone,” said former State Representative Ray Rickman on Friday. “That statue should be appreciated for its art form, and that’s why I’m calling on RISD to take it.”

In 2019, GoLocal looked at the history of the statute in “Designed by Statue of Liberty Sculptor, Cast by Gorham, Columbian Ties."

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“You are one thing in one age, and something else in another,” said Rickman. “His prominence really came about after the Civil War, when leaders wanted this unifying 'Anglo' imagery for history.”

“He was a great explorer, but he caused millions of indigenous people to die,” said Rickman. “There comes a time you’ve run your course. I think RISD should take it. And they should make note of the controversy.”

The Providence-based bronze cast statue is a cast of the original sterling silver statue commissioned for the 1892 Columbian Exposition of the World's Fair held in Chicago, Illinois. “For the upcoming exposition, Gorham wanted a demonstration piece to show the skill of its foundry and commissioned Bartholdi to create a statue of Columbus,” according to the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office.