It’s Columbus Day across the country, and Monday also marks Indeginious People’s Day.
In Syracuse, the future of the Columbus statue is still hotly debated. Some local groups have called for the statue to be taken down. County Executive Ryan McMahon weighed in on the issue last week.
He says there are shades of grey, so there isn’t one right answer. McMahon brought up Congressman John Katko’s idea of adding a statue of Hiawatha next to the Columbus statue.
He’s hoping for more proposals that include different options, both keeping the statue and moving it elsewhere.
“My goal is to unite the community. To say right off that bat that you’re going to take something down, you’re going to alienate a whole lot of people. The same people that put that statue up for reasons other than what people are rightfully critical of Christopher Columbus,” said McMahon (R).
The county executive says he will not be making an appearance at any of Monday’s Columbus Day events because he will be out of town for a conference.
There is a wreath laying ceremony planned at the statue in Columbus Circle at 11 a.m., which will be followed by a luncheon at the Oncenter at noon. Officials with the Columbus Monument Association say people planning to attend should go early, because of the ongoing construction in the area.
Later in the evening, a Replace Columbus Observance has been scheduled for 6 p.m. and expected to include neighbors of the Onondaga Nation.
