Protesters in Baltimore topple statue of Columbus, toss it into harbor

BALTIMORE — A crowd of protesters in Baltimore toppled a statue of Christopher Columbus and then tossed it into the city’s Inner Harbor on Saturday night, The Sun reported.

The explorer’s statue, located near the Little Italy section of Baltimore, was dismantled as fireworks went off around the city during the Fourth of July celebrations.

The protesters used ropes to pull down the statue and then rolled it to the water, sending it hurtling into the harbor, The Sun reported.

It is the latest statue to tumble during national protests over racism and police violence. Statues of Columbus have fallen in other cities, along with statues of Confederate figures.

Protesters, in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on May 25, have called for the removal of statues of Columbus, WUSA reported. Protesters believe Columbus is responsible for the genocide and exploitation of Native Americans, the television station reported.

The statue, carved in Italian Carrara marble, is owned by the city of Baltimore and was dedicated Oct. 8, 1984, The Sun reported. Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer and President Ronald Reagan attended the dedication.

Cox Media Group