Christopher Columbus received some strong Old World support in Manhattan on Tuesday as New York City polls consider whether to remove statues of him and other controversial historical figures.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni publicly visited the district’s famous Columbus Circle to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Columbus – just hours after the City Council held a hearing on a proposed law targeting monuments and other works of art featuring explorers, as well as people like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
“The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, placed a wreath on the statue located in the center of the Columbus Circle, one of the most famous in the US depicting Christopher Columbus,” said a statement from Meloni’s office, which is in the city. for the annual UN General Assembly.
“Through this reaffirmation of an important identity, the President celebrates a symbol of American cultural and moral history.”
The Italian leader stood by the statue for a moment of silence — in honor of Columbus ahead of the October 12 US holiday in his honor — before being mobbed by Italian media.
“A Bronx Tale” actor Chazz Palminteri, an Italian-American activist and defender of Columbus’ heritage, said Meloni’s presence spoke volumes.
“The prime minister made a statement: We are not getting rid of Columbus! The holiday is our day. Canceling Columbus is not going to happen,” Palminteri, who is also known for his role in “Bullets Over Broadway,” told The Post in a phone interview.
Christopher Columbus received some strong Old World support in Manhattan on Tuesday as New York City polls consider whether to remove statues of him and other controversial historical figures.Christopher Sadowski
“We Italians stay united – whether it’s here or in Italy,” the actor said.
“I said to the prime minister, “Thank you for coming. Thank you for supporting Italian-Americans.’ “
Meloni’s visit came on the day of a council hearing on a series of bills, including one that could allow the city’s Public Design Commission to remove monuments to historical figures such as Washington, Jefferson and Peter Stuyvesant, who were slaveholders, and Columbus, who has been criticized for misusing natives during his discovery of the New World.
“Meloni showed Italian-Americans that we have his support and the support of Italians – we are not forgotten,” said Joseph Scelsa, president of the Italian-American Museum, who attended the wreath-laying event.
Still, even with the bill, it would be difficult to take down the monument honoring Columbus at Columbus Circle.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni visited the statue at Columbus Circle to take part in a ceremony honoring Columbus hours after the City Council held a hearing on proposed legislation targeting monuments and other works of art.Jennifer Mitchell / SplashNews.com
The National Park Service in 2018 added the 129-year-old, 76-foot statue near Central Park to its list of protected landmarks.
But other Columbus statues across the city may be on the chopping block.
During Tuesday’s public hearing, the bill’s author, Brooklyn Councilwoman Sandy Nurse, insisted she was trying to correct history, not undo it.
Under the proposal, the city’s Public Design Commission could remove statues from public squares because of their controversial legacy of slavery or mistreatment of indigenous peoples.
The PDC may also install a plaque next to the statute explaining the recipient’s misconduct.
Meloni stood by the statue for a moment of silence — in honor of Columbus ahead of the October 12 US holiday in his honor — before being swarmed by Italian media. Jared Downing
“It is a reckoning with the historical injustice that continues to haunt our city. This bill allows New York City to confront the profound legacy of slavery, colonialism and systemic crimes against humanity,” said Nurse.
“By contextualizing or mandating the removal of artwork that depicts individuals who profited from black slavery or committed atrocities against indigenous people, we challenge the celebration of those who have perpetuated oppression,” he said.
The nurse said the city’s public spaces are “non-neutral” spaces and influence people’s opinions.
“This bill is not an erasure of history — far from it. It is actually an act of memory and truth to tell the whole story rather than a simple one,” said Nurse.
“It insists that the stories we tell and the art we display must reflect the values of equity, inclusion and recognition of the struggles endured by marginalized communities.”
His visit came on a day of council hearings on a series of bills including one that would allow the Public Design Commission to remove a statue of Columbus, who has been criticized for abusing indigenous peoples while discovering the New World. Italian American Museum
During testimony, Sideya Sherman, commissioner of Mayor Eric Adams’ Office of Equity, raised objections to how the law for the removal of the historic figure statute was formed, with the decision left to the independent 11-member Public Design Commission.
“We have concerns about the appropriateness of the identified agencies in line with existing efforts and needs,” Sherman said.
Under the law, the mayor has only one representative in the 11-member PDC.
The other seven were nominated by the Federation of Fine Arts, and the other three were representatives from the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum and the NY Public Library.
Palminteri said it is unfair to judge people by comparing today’s morals to events more than 500 years ago.
The National Park Service in 2018 added the 129-year-old 76-foot statue near Central Park to the list of protected landmarks but other Columbus statues across the city may be on the chopping block.GNMiller/NYPost
“People who get out of prison get a second chance,” he said.
“It’s been crazy. It’s just about power and wanting to be re-elected. Go find a job. See what real people are dealing with,” Palminteri said of the critics.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
