Protest Calls for City to Remove Columbus Statue

Protesters held a demonstration and march calling for the swift removal by the city of the Christopher Columbus statue in New Britain.

The protest and march, organized by the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, was held on July 8, 2020.

Protest leaders spoke at the Columbus statue, at the corner of Main and North streets, before marching near City Hall to call to the City Council to act quickly to remove the statue.

As the demonstration proceeded, protesters were cheered by motorists honking horns and shouting words of approval.

Meanwhile, a Council petition, submitted by two Council members, Ald. Colin Osborn (D-2) and Ald. Chris Anderson (D-AL), called on,

the City Plan Commission to please submit a report to the Common Council for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Park located at the corner of Main Street and North Street.

The petition calls on the City Plan Commission to submit the report to the Council office by August 6, 2020.

A City Council petition is procedure in New Britain by which an individual member or more than one member of the Council is empowered to require consideration of action from or a report by a city department or commission. Council members frequently use this process to formally propose that the city take action on particular concerns.