Should it stay or go? Final decision on Pittsburgh’s Christopher Columbus statue will be made next week

PITTSBURGH — A special hearing to help determine the fate of the Christoper Columbus statue in Schenley Park was held Thursday.

The Pittsburgh Art Commission held the virtual hearing at 5:30 p.m. The public had the chance to comment.

The fate of the statue was discussed for hours. Some people say it’s part of our history and needs to stay. Others say it glorifies a man who colonized with little regard for human life and who enslaved, murdered and fueled the fires of hate, which can no longer stand today.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto previously said he wanted the group to decide if the statue should be removed, replaced or remain unchanged

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Calls to remove the statue grew over the summer amid nationwide protests. It has been vandalized at least two times.

A final decision on this statue’s fate will be made by the mayor on Sept. 23 after he gets a recommendation from the art commission.

If you’d like to leave a public comment for the city to take into consideration, click here.

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