Ron Onesti | Facebook
Ron Onesti | Facebook
The Italian-American community has been disheartened by the “temporary removal” of Christopher Columbus’ statue at Grant Park.
Ron Onesti, incoming president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian-Americans in Chicago, said that they have been in contact with the mayor and other officials in regard to the possibility of the statue being taken down, and they thought a healthy dialogue was taking place. They have been taken aback, though, when the removal happened.
“Our community was not invited to come to the table and discuss options," Ron Onesti told Chicago City Wire.
Located east of S. Columbus Drive and north of E. Balbo Drive, the statue was erected in 1933.
“This stuff is really near and dear to the hearts of the Italian-American community and we want to be treated just as ethically and fairly as any other group,” Onesti said
Outgoing president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian-Americans Sergio Giangrande said that they are “not OK” with the statue being taken down because it is “a symbol” of hope for their community.
The removal, which was ordered by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, came a week after protesters tried to take the statue down, CBS 2 Chicago reported.
Alerts Sign-up