New York City Mayor Eric Adams may be almost 5,000 miles away in Albania, but he was at the center of the mayor’s race on Wednesday due to his recent campaign to landmark statues of Christopher Columbus in Manhattan and Queens.
The mayor launched the endeavor just days before Columbus Day, which is on Monday.
The Columbus statues controversy
Adams is asking the Landmarks Preservation Commission to hold a public hearing on a request filed by the former head of the Columbus Citizens Foundation to make the two statues public landmarks, which would mean they can’t be torn down.
The controversy stems from former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tenure, when there were charges by activists claiming that Columbus should not be viewed as an heroic explorer but as someone whose expeditions led to the killing and enslavement of indigenous Americans.
Adams also wants to establish grants for cultural programs and art projects dedicated to the indigenous community, Kramer reported.
- Read more: NYC leaders considering ways to tell whole story on explorers and historical figures honored with monuments
“We should respect that part of the Italian community’s cultural heritage”
Adams has proudly marched in the Columbus Day parade but can probably expect more accolades this year, because of his campaign to have the statues remain in perpetuity…