On Monday morning, hundreds of people gathered below the Columbus statue in downtown Syracuse to celebrate Columbus Day. Dressed in their Sunday best, flaunting Italian flags, pins, even face masks–the crowd started their annual wreath-laying with the Italian national anthem.
The Columbus Monument Corporation has been overseeing this ceremony for decades, and their president, Mark Nicotra, told the crowd that he hopes to keep it that way.
“We have been celebrating our Italian heritage at this monument on this day for decades and we will continue to celebrate our ancestors next year, and for years to come right here in Columbus Circle,” said Nicotra.
This ceremony comes as his organization is suing Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh for his efforts to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus.
However, Nick Pirro–the event’s organizer–said their desire to keep the statue is not because of Columbus himself, but what he represents to his community.
“It's simply a reflection of the pride Italian Americans have in their community, and the contributions that our parents and grandparents brought to this country when they immigrated here, and how they've made Syracuse a much better community,” said Pirro.
In that same spot, just seven hours later, another group gathered–this time with a new message.
“Columbus was not a good man, as many might still believe,” one woman sang. “He murdered tortured, raped, and stole for wealth, for power, for greed.”
A similar-sized crowd, many of whom represented the Onondaga Nation, came both in celebration of Indigenous People’s Day and to advocate for the removal of the Columbus statue.
Many said that while they respect Italian American Heritage, the statue is a reminder for them of just how cruel Columbus was to Indigenous people.
“The time has come,” said Andy Major. “In fact, the time has long passed for the Columbus statue to come down.”
Major is a member of the Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation organization which helped organize the latter event along with the Women of Italian and Syracuse Heritage and Resilient Indigenous Action Collective.
While Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has been very adamant about removing the statue, officials have indicated that nothing will happen until the lawsuit is resolved. However, Danielle Smith of the Hawk Clan in the Onondaga Nation said the sooner the better.
“I know they say there's a process and all of that, but please let's just take it down so it doesn't continue to cause harm,” said Smith.
