Ax found taped to Detroit statue of Christopher Columbus

In many cities, Columbus Day is a celebration of Italian-American heritage, not just Columbus, so it’s no surprise that Italian-Americans are among the most vocal opponents of the shifting focus.

On Monday, Columbus Day, it was discovered that vandals had affixed a hatchet to the head of the Columbus statue outside the Renaissance Center in Detroit and doused the monument with red paint.

Pueblo’s annual Columbus Day celebration was overshadowed by protesters chanting loudly over ceremony speakers.

“I understand why they would”, said Jeff Richards, one of the people who walked over to the bust to snap a photo of what they believe to be symbolic vandalism.

And although the arrival of Columbus did usher in a new era, the idea that he “discovered” America as the first Europeans to land isn’t accurate.

That’s until an urban explorer from out of town climbed up and removed it because he thought it was disrespectful.

The anti-Columbus Day demonstrators outnumbered the Sons of Italy group Monday morning.

Someone has vandalized Detroit’s statue of Christopher Columbus.

An American holiday for a few, a puzzling example of twisted (and flatly wrong) history for others. But honoring the Italian explorer and colonizer is becoming increasingly controversial.

Earlier this year, the city commission of Traverse City approved a resolution to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day along with Columbus Day.