New Haven police speak to a man who opposes the removal of a statue of Christopher Columbus in Wooster Square Park in New Haven, June 24, 2020. Cloe Poisson / CTMirror.org
The city removed the statue in recognition of its representation of colonialism that many find offensive in light of heightened tension over racial injustices. Tensions ran high between protestors on both sides of the issue during the hours-long removal process. The statue was erected in 1892 in the heart of New Haven’s Italian American community.