Providence's Columbus Statue Boxed Over for Protection By Councilman Taylor

Providence's Columbus Statue Boxed Over for Protection By Councilman Taylor

Providence City Councilman Jim Taylor covered the historic Christopher Columbus statue on Elmwood Avenue ahead of park repairs — and the wood covering was vandalized just hours later.

According to Taylor, he covered the statue in Columbus Square in a wooden box, as the "city is slated to make significant improvements, including adding decorative lighting," he said. There is currently fending enclosing the square.

As GoLocal reported on Friday, “Battle Over Columbus Statue in Providence Emerges, As Statues Are Destroyed Across U.S.”

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The statue has been subject to vandalism and debate over the past year.  Last October, it was vandalized with red paint; Providence Councilwoman Kat Kerwin defended the vandalism. 

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Rhode Island civil rights leader Ray Rickman is calling for the statue —  cast by Rhode Island’s Gorham Manufacturing Company — to be moved to the Rhode Island School of Design.

Taylor is advocating for it to stay in its current location.

“I placed the box around it around 8 PM last night,” said Taylor, ahead of the upcoming park repairs. “Then I get a call from my son around 2:30 AM — telling me there were nine police cars at the location.”

“It was vandalized, and the perpetrators took off,” said Taylor. “I’m hearing that they got a couple of them. It could be a misdemeanor, but as it’s historic, it could be upped to a felony charge.”