PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Sons of Italy is calling for a statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence to be moved to a different neighborhood, after it was defaced with paint on Columbus Day.
Don Angelo, president of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, Order of Sons of Italy, told WPRO’s Gene Valicenti on Tuesday that he thinks the statue should be moved to Federal Hill, the city’s traditionally Italian neighborhood. He says “everyone on Federal Hill would welcome it with open arms.”
The statue is currently located in Columbus Square, in the city’s Elmwood section.
Angelo says he can’t believe the neighborhood wants it “if they’re going to deface it all the time and vandalize it.” The statue has been vandalized in the past.
He also suggested a surveillance camera as part of the solution.
