A Christopher Columbus statue is slated for unveiling in Brooklyn this October, an initiative by the newly formed Preserving Italian Heritage Coalition. The group intends to house the statue on private property at the John Hughes Club in Dyker Heights, a move designed to circumvent potential opposition from city officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
State Assemblyman Lester Chang, a Republican representing parts of Brooklyn, is spearheading the coalition. "I'm Chinese, but this is my community, too," Chang stated, highlighting his connection to the historically Italian-American neighborhoods he represents. The coalition is seeking to raise $100,000 to cover construction and maintenance costs for the statue.
Chang's inspiration for the project reportedly stems from President Trump's Columbus Day proclamation in late 2023 and a desire to reclaim the explorer's legacy. He noted a personal connection, recalling how his father, an immigrant from China, faced job rejections until an Italian restaurant offered him employment.
The coalition's decision to secure private grounds was influenced by anticipated opposition from Mayor Mamdani's administration. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, previously made headlines in 2020 for posting a photograph of himself giving a middle finger to a Christopher Columbus statue in Queens and advocating for its removal when he was a state assemblyman. Initial discussions for a location on 18th Avenue were reportedly abandoned due to the likelihood of a lengthy city review process culminating in probable rejection.
Stefano Forte, president of the New York Young Republican Club, which has assisted with early fundraising, expressed support for the initiative. "At a time when Italian American history and culture are being erased by Mayor Mamdani, our club is highlighting one of the giants of American and Italian history, Christopher Columbus," Forte said.
Gregory Lendino, the coalition's treasurer, described Columbus as a formerly unifying icon for Italians across the political spectrum. Committee member Lori Pedone shared a personal connection, stating her hope that future generations would be able to see the statue with pride.
The coalition also aims to serve as a repository for other removed monuments from across the country, with private property considered the most effective way to navigate bureaucratic hurdles. Members have discussed the possibility of vandalism and plan to design the statue's base to accommodate a protective enclosure if necessary. Lendino added, "They came here and they built things. They didn't tear things down."