By WPRO News and The Associated Press
A Christopher Columbus statue in Rhode Island has been vandalized for a second time in recent weeks.
The statue’s pedestal was splashed overnight with what appeared to be red paint.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s office said Monday city workers have already cleaned it.
Police are investigating.
The statue was splashed with red paint Oct. 14 on Columbus Day. It was one of several Columbus statues vandalized nationwide.
Days later, City Councilor Katherine Kerwin touched off controversy when she voiced approval of the act of vandalism.
After the Columbus Day vandalism, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza formed a study commission to consider whether to move the statue to neighborhoods that offered to host it, such as Federal Hill.
“I think the right thing to do here is really learn the history, the legacy of it and engage some historians, and go through a process to figure out the best step for the city is,” said Elorza.
Neighboring mayors Joseph Polisena in Johnston and Allan Fung in Cranston offered to take the statute, but Elorza said he wants to await the outcome of the study commission.
“I know I’m going to have to arm wrestle Mayor Polisena for it, but #Cranston has a safe spot for the statue in #Knightsville”, Tweeted Fung.
“It’s just disgraceful right now where, again it’s been vandalized and can’t be protected. We’ve got a safe spot for it in Cranston,” Fung told WPRO’s Tara Granahan.
“There should be a camera. There should be stepped-up patrols,” Fung said. “It’s outrageous in this day and age that there’s the lack of respect and civility and tolerance for the other side of what is going on.”
