TL/DR –
A statue of Christopher Columbus has been installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House. The statue is a replica of one thrown into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020 during protests against institutional racism. The statue was loaned to the federal government by the Italian American Organizations United and created by sculptor Will Hemsley.
Trump Administration Honors Christopher Columbus with Replica Statue Near White House
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A replica of a Christopher Columbus statue that was thrown into Baltimore’s harbor during 2020 protests has been installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House. This is part of President Donald Trump’s latest efforts to honor the controversial explorer.
As per Trump, Columbus, who led the 1492 mission, symbolizes the unofficial inception of European colonization in the Americas. He, however, is also seen as representing the conquest of the New World by Western Europe.
“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump is committed to perpetuating this legacy,” said the White House. John Pica, president of the Italian American Organizations United, expressed delight that the statue would now be protected.
The statue, sculpted from marble by Maryland-based artist Will Hemsley, is owned by the Italian American Organizations United and has been loaned to the federal government.
The original statue was toppled and vandalized on July 4, 2020, amid nationwide protests following the George Floyd incident. Protesters accused Columbus of being complicit in the genocide and exploitation of indigenous people in the Americas.
In recent years, institutions and government entities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. President Joe Biden in 2021 became the first U.S. president to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day officially.
Trump, rejecting the shift, labeled it as a distortion of history by “left-wing arsonists”. “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes.,” he declared last April. He also accused Democrats of attempting to tarnish Columbus’s reputation.
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