Boston removes Columbus statue in monuments debate

Residents of Boston's tritionally Italian rth End neighborhood say y have mixed emotions over removal of a beheed Christopher Columbus statue from a city-owned Park.

statue was removed early Wednesday, a day after its beheing as city continues to grapple with controversial landmarks thrown into spotlight anew during a national reckoning over racism triggered by killing of George Floyd.

Crews, however, left behind   marble statue's granite pedestal after Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh has said statue will be placed in stor as city reassesses its significance.

Saideh Dartley is a retired elementary school teacher of Italian descent and opted mor of two Chinese girls.

"I feel it should be removed and I feel it shouldn't be removed. I feel as part of our country's history, wher we like it or t. And we can't erase all our history. If we don't learn from past, we can't move forward," Dartley said on a rth End sidewalk.

Columbus' explorations led European to discover America. Critics say that led to trans-Atlantic slave tre, ding that his violent treatment and killing of Native Americans expose him as a racist.

" slave tre has been with us even before Christopher Columbus. If you re history, it goes back to ancient civilizations and I don't approve of it, but re's thing, presently, I can do except to have an open mind and to teach my two girls to I have an open mind," Dartley said.

Fellow Italian-American Lynne Esparo disagreed.

"But way he went about treating people, indigeus people that lived here, was t appropriate. Back in those days people were t as smart as we are w and it's hard to pass judgment for many, many, many years, years ago. But he did t treat people properly and I understand people's frustration with him," said Espero, a marketing executive who produces large events for a living.

Dartley praised ongoing nationwide protests that are demanding police and or reforms to dress concerns over systemic racism in United States.

"I think it's a good thing, and I do hope we're going to move forward with it and we're going to see reforms. I opted two girls who are of a mirity race and I kw what y're going through," Dartley said.

Italian American Alliance, meanwhile, says it will hold a rally Sunday to demand restoration and return of city-owned statue to Christopher Columbus Park.

alliance in a statement called beheing "cowardly vandalism."

Espero was concerned over looting that accompanied some of protests demanding reforms.

"I think destruction of any kind is s and disappointing and I don't think it helps move forward needle that everyone wants, which is fairness, equality and justice – and that black lives and all lives matter."

National protests over Floyd's killing at hands of police Minneapolis have sparked a larger dialogue about racism in United States.