COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus State Community College removed the statue of Christopher Columbus on the college's downtown campus on Friday.
Crews began removing the statue around 7 a.m. and the last piece was hauled off around noon.
The college announced on Tuesday that the statue, which has been in place since 1988, was going to be removed within the next two weeks.
In a statement issued to faculty, staff and students, Columbus State Board of Trustees Chair Anthony Joseph said they are not seeking to erase history, but to make an intentional shift in what the college visibly honors and celebrates.
Additionally, Columbus State President David Harrison said the removal of the statue is a symbolic gesture of the commitment to the college and the community to continue the fight against systemic racism.
“Recent events, including the senseless deaths of African-Americans and the resulting anguish across the nation, compelled us to act on a years-long internal dialogue about the statue and the message it sends in our community. This inflection point will inform College policy and action both now and for years to come,” Harrison said.
In disassembling the statue, the college said they were committed to ensuring the structure was removed so it could be reassembled in another location.
The college also announced they will begin an exploration process for a new installation at the statue location.
