Italian Groups File Lawsuit for Return of Columbus Statue in Ohio
Italian American organizations have filed a lawsuit demanding the restoration of the Christopher Columbus statue in front of City Hall in Columbus, Ohio. The statue was removed in 2020 following protests over George Floyd's death and discussions about Columbus's historical actions. The lawsuit claims the removal violated federal, state, and local laws and discriminated against Italian Americans. The statue, a gift from Genoa, Italy, is considered a significant piece of public artwork. The plaintiffs argue that its absence has caused distress among the Italian American community and that federal agencies failed to uphold preservation obligations. 
