Judge overturns Philadelphia’s decision to remove Christopher Columbus statue

A Pennsylvania judge this week overturned a ruling to remove a Christopher Columbus statue in the city.

The judge ruled that the statue will remain in the city, stating there was no “legal foundation” for its removal, according to a local ABC News affiliate.

“It is baffling to this Court as to how the City of Philadelphia wants to remove the Statue without any legal basis. The City’s entire argument and case is devoid of any legal foundation,” the judge wrote in the Tuesday decision.

The City of Philadelphia Board of License and Inspection Review and later the Philadelphia Historical Commission previously decided to remove the statute after some city residents said that it represented oppression and hate.

The president of the Friends of Marconi Plaza, Rich Cedrone, was one of the people who fought back against the statue’s removal from Marconi Plaza, located in South Philadelphia.

“We still don’t believe it stands for anything against any other culture. That’s not our message,” Cedrone told the news outlet.

Judge Paula Patrick said that the city pointing to civil unrest in Philadelphia following the murder of George Floyd as a primary justification for the statue’s removal was inconsistent with state code.

In her decision, she stated that ongoing civil unrest was not proven to last beyond last June and that the city did not allow the public 90 days of input.

A city spokesperson responded on Tuesday saying that the ruling was disappointing.

“While we are very disappointed with the ruling, we’re reviewing it now and exploring all potential options-including a possible appeal. The statue remains in Marconi Plaza and will continue to be secured in its existing box,” the spokesperson said, according to the ABC affiliate.