Cuomo again defends Columbus amid renewed calls to remove statue
Denis Slattery
ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo is standing by his man.
The governor again defended New York City’s Christopher Columbus statue on Thursday, calling it a point of pride for Italian Americans like himself, as similar tributes to the explorer have been removed or targeted by protesters in recent days.
“I understand the feelings about Christopher Columbus and some of his acts, which nobody would support, but the statue has come to represent and signify appreciation for the Italian American contribution to New York,” Cuomo said during a briefing in Albany. “For that reason, I support it.”
Civil unrest following the death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, has boosted support for removing tributes to historical figures with problematic pasts such as Columbus and Confederate leaders in the South.
The Christopher Columbus statue in Midtown Manhattan.
The Christopher Columbus statue in Midtown Manhattan. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/)
A group of Native American protesters pulled down a statue of the Italian icon in Saint Paul, Minn., and a likeness of Columbus was beheaded in Boston this week.
Another statue of the explorer was tossed into a lake in Richmond, Va., and a bronze effigy of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was toppled in the wake of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.
The Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle near New York's Central Park.
The Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle near New York's Central Park. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday she wants to see the names of Confederate leaders removed from American military bases and statues of them taken out of the U.S. Capitol.
"The American people know these names have to go. These names are white supremacists that said terrible things about our country,” she said. “Some of these names were given to these bases. You listen to who they are and what they said and then you have the president make a case as to why a base should be named for them. He seems to be the only person left who doesn’t get it.”
President Trump openly opposes the removal of Confederate statues and monuments from public spaces and said Wednesday he would “not even consider” renaming Army bases.
General Lee Avenue at Fort Hamilton, New York City's only active-duty military base, on March 27, 2009 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
General Lee Avenue at Fort Hamilton, New York City's only active-duty military base, on March 27, 2009 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images/)
The Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee, meanwhile, bucked the president by adopting an amendment creating a commission charged with renaming bases honoring Confederate leaders who fought to uphold slavery.
In Albany, Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced Thursday that the state capital will be removing a statue of Revolutionary War general Philip Schuyler because he was a slave owner.
“I have signed an Executive Order directing the removal of the statue honoring Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler — reportedly the largest owner of enslaved people in Albany during his time — from in front of Albany City Hall,” Sheehan tweeted.
Betty Lyons, a citizen of the upstate Onondaga Nation and president and executive director of the American Indian Law Alliance, said Cuomo is on the wrong side of the Columbus controversy, tying the troubled history of the 15th century explorer and his role in sparking colonial oppression and the slave trade directly to the current political climate.
Governor Andrew Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a press conference in the Red Room at the State Capitol in Albany on Thursday.
Governor Andrew Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a press conference in the Red Room at the State Capitol in Albany on Thursday.
“Until the larger society confronts those oppressions head-on, and realizes that the symbols of that oppression go far beyond the Confederate flag, peace will not come to the land," Lyons said. “Until then, Cuomo, as does Trump, continues to have his knee on our necks.”
The governor has repeatedly maintained his support of Columbus despite opposition from both Native Americans and Latin American groups. Last year, he dismissed calls to remove the statue, or rename Columbus Circle, as he marched in the Columbus Day parade in Manhattan.
“The Christopher Columbus statue was erected at a time when the Italian American community was being attacked,” he said at the time. “The Christopher Columbus statue was more about solidarity with the Italian American community and respect for the Italian American community and that’s why the Italian American community was so offended that they could take down the Christopher Columbus statue.”
Mike Forcia raises his hands in the air as people photograph the fallen Christopher Columbus statue at the Minnesota state Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, June 10.
Mike Forcia raises his hands in the air as people photograph the fallen Christopher Columbus statue at the Minnesota state Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, June 10. (Evan Frost/)
Columbus Day itself has become a point of contention with several cities and states, including Maine, Vermont, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C., renaming the federal holiday Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Andrew Cuomo, 31, the son of New Yorks Governor and the head of help Inc., a non-profit organization which builds transitional housing for homeless women and children, joins John F. Kennedy Jr. during a radio interview in New Rochelle, New York Tuesday, May 17, 1989. Kennedy told listeners he would have no complaints if housing for the homeless was arranged in Hyannisport. Mass.
Former Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, center, arrives at the Byram Hills Central School District Administrative Offices with his wife, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, and their daughters, Cara, 6-years-old, left, Michaela, 3-years-old, 2nd from left, and Mariah, right, Friday, June 22, 2001, in Armonk, N.Y. Cuomo enrolled his twin daughters in the first grade in the Byram Hills public school after buying a home in Westchester county.
Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, left, and her husband Andrew Cuomo holding their newborn twins Mariah Matilda Kennedy Cuomo, left, and Cara Ethyl Kennedy Cuomo at their suburban Washington home. The twins were born Wednesday Jan. 11, 1995 at Georgetown University Hospital. Cara Ethyl arrived at 7:22 p.m. weighing 6-pounds 13 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long. Mariah Matilda arrived at 7:42 p.m. weighing 5-pounds 14 ounces and was 19 inches long.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Albert Gore, left, talks with New York Mayor Ed Koch, center, and Andrew Cuomo at a hearing on aid for the homeless, Monday, March 28, 1988 in Brooklyn, N.Y.. A range of politicians joined the congressional hearing to condemn a proposed federal regulation that would limit funding for families in welfare hotels.
Former congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, left, speaks during a news conference as Andrew Cuomo, right looks on at City Hall Thursday May 4, 2006 in New York. Ferraro endorsed Cuomo in his run for New York State's Attorney General.
Actor and president of the Creative Coalition William Baldwin, left, speaks to reporters as US Housing and Urban Development Secretary (HUD) Andrew Cuomo, right, looks on during a press conference in Dec. 1999 at The House of Ruth, a transitional housing facility for homeless families in Washington, DC .
John F. Kennedy Jr., left, Andrew Cuomo and Kerry Kennedy, at Maguire's Cafe, for a fund-raiser for H.E.L.P., Cuomo's organization that builds low-income housing.
Vice President Al Gore, right, shakes hands with Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, left, Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, N.Y. Gore was in the economically distressed area of upstate New York as he sought to pump new energy into his presidential campaign.
New York Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Cuomo, left, is trailed by his father former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, right, during a campaign stop in Brooklyn, New York, on April 16, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo press conference at 26 Federal Plaza on July 5, 1995.
New York Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Cuomo, right, campaigns with wife Kerrey Kennedy Cuomo, left, in Brooklyn, New York, on April 16, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo, the son of former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo, announces his candidacy for Governor of New York State on April 16, 2002 as his supporters look on outside the Supreme Court Building in Mineola , New York.
US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo addresses the Democratic National Convention on its fourth and final day in August 2000 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Donald Trump, left, and Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 12, 1989.
Andrew Cuomo is congratulated by his wife Kerry Kennedy Cuomo (far right) as she holds their daughter Kara, 2, after Cuomo was sworn in as the new HUD Secretary, Feb. 10, 1997, during a ceremony in the Indian Treaty Room at the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. Cuomo's brother Chris (right) holds their daughter Mariah, 2.
New York Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks about his support of raising the state minimum wage at a rare event with fellow Democratic candidate Carl McCall May 2, 2002 in New York .
Andrew Cuomo at his confirmation hearing for HUD Secretary on Jan. 22, 1997.
Andrew Cuomo, left, with daughter Michaela, announces his run for governor at the Genesis Homes in East New York, Brooklyn.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Andrew Cuomo during an interview in his Washington DC office on April 4, 1997.
Chris Cuomo, left, and Andrew Cuomo at the bachelor party for Andrew on June 3, 1990. Andrew Cuomo married Kerry Kennedy on June 9, 1990.
Andrew Cuomo, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary as he met with the Editorial Board of The New York Daily News at our offices at 450 West 33rd Street in Manhattan, on Jan. 4, 2000.
Gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Cuomo looks over his 1968 Pontiac GTO and his 1975 Corvette at his Mount Kisco, N.Y., home in 2002.
Candidate Andrew Cuomo at HS for Teaching in Manhattan announces his education plan for the state on April 11, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo arrives at the funeral of Rose Kennedy on Jan. 24, 1995 in Boston.
President Clinton, left, made a trip to Baltimore on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998, with HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo on the subject of homelessness. Christa Spangler, center, who introduced the President and Andrew Cuomo.
Andrew Cuomo, and daughters Cara, Mariah and Michaela attend the release party for "Crossroads," a book of essays he edited, at Osteria del Circo on Nov. 17, 2003.
Former Mayor Ed Koch, center, endorses Andrew Cuomo, left, in his bid for the office of New York State attorney general during a news conference on the steps of City Hall.
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch announces the union's endorsement of Andrew Cuomo for state attorney general during a news conference at PBA offices in lower Manhattan.
Andrew Cuomo gives a thumbs-up as he arrives at Radio City Music Hall for "A Concert for John Kerry: A Change Is Going to Come." The event raised funds for the campaign of presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and his freshly minted running mate, Sen. John Edwards.
Democratic mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer and former HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo discuss affordable housing during a campaign stop at Kenmore Hall in 2005.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act on Tuesday, July 17, 2019 in Manhattan, New York as his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy, left, and daughters Cara Kennedy Cuomo and Mariah Kennedy Cuomo.
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks to the press before he marches up Fifth Avenue in the annual Salute to Israel Parade.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks with the Daily News Editorial Board at the Daily News' offices on Jan. 19, 2012.
Andrew Cuomo, with Sandra Lee, receives the nomination for Governor at the New York State Democratic Committee 2010 State Convention.
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Cuomo marches at the Salute to Israel parade with daughter Cara on May 23, 2010.
Andrew Cuomo waves as he speaks to supporters at Democratic Headquarters in the Sheraton New York Hotel on election night after winning the race for state attorney general over his Republican opponent, Jeanine Pirro.
Democratic state attorney general candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks outside the 1st Precinct stationhouse on Ericsson Place as incumbent Sen. Hillary Clinton looks on during a campaign stop with labor leaders before tomorrow's general election.
Andrew Cuomo laughs as he sits onstage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during his swearing-in ceremony as the 64th State Attorney General.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks on the steps of City Hall as he receives and endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice New York.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks on the steps of City Hall as he receives and endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice New York.
President Bill Clinton with gubenatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo at Klitgord Center, New York City College of Technology.
Mario Cuomo,left, and son Andrew look over family car on May 8, 1977.
Gov. Mario Cuomo ,left, acknowledges applause at inauguration as wife Matilda and son Andrew look on, on Jan. 1, 1987.
Andrew Cuomo with sister, Maria on Nov. 4, 1988.
Gov. Mario Cuomo shares breakfast with son Andrew on Jan. 30, 1983.
Mario Cuomo, right, rides in car as son Andrew drives on Jan. 20, 1983.
Mario Cuomo and family at their home in Queens, New York on May 18, 1977.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks with the Daily News Editorial Board at the Daily News' offices in 2012.
New York Attorney General Elect Andrew Cuomo, left, joins hands with his father former New York Governor Mario Cuomo during a rally held by New York Democrats, in New York, on Nov. 7, 2006.
It’s also not Cuomo’s first statue standoff. The governor’s longstanding rivalry with Mayor de Blasio bubbled over last year as he announced he would bypass the mayor and fund a statue of Mother Cabrini, an Italian immigrant and Roman Catholic Saint, with state money.
The decision, announced on Columbus Day, was made after the city excluded Cabrini from an initiative honoring women with statues around New York.
