New Yorkers sign petition to save Christopher Columbus statue

Hundreds of New Yorkers sent a message to Mayor de Blasio on Sunday: Keep your hands off Christopher Columbus!
One day before the nation celebrates Columbus’ discovery of the New World, lawmakers and parade-goers in The Bronx demanded Hizzoner ignore “over-politicized rhetoric” and ensure that the famed explorer’s statue remain in Columbus Circle.
More than 1,000 people signed a petition circulated at the 41st annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade in Morris Park — to which de Blasio was notably not invited — to keep the iconic monument from the “chopping block.”
“That statue isn’t hurting nobody,” fumed carpenter Marco Rossi, 47, of Pelham Bay, who brought his kids to the parade.
“It represents too many important things to be removed to make a few people happy,” he added. “Especially as an Italian-American, I find it offensive.”
Neighborhood resident Kathy Ann Vignola, 62, also ripped de Blasio for assembling an 18-member commission to help decide the fate of “oppressive” monuments that are “inconsistent with the values of New York City.”
“He can’t make the decision himself? It’s an easy decision: Leave the statue alone!” she said.
The parade’s grand marshal, city Councilman James Vacca (D-Bronx) — whose late dad was an Italian immigrant — didn’t return requests for comment.
Aides to state Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx), Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx) and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) handed out cannoli while gathering signatures on a petition that seeks to exclude the Columbus Circle statue from consideration by the commission.
Members include civil-rights activist Harry Belafonte and Columbia University Professor Mabel Wilson, an expert on “race and modern architecture.”
Last month, de Blasio gave the group until Dec. 7 — more than a month after he’s up for re-election — to submit recommendations.
“I think this commission is nonsense,” Sen. Klein said. “You don’t have a commission to tear down statues. You educate people about the reason why those statues are there. That’s what it’s all about. People who forget our history are doomed to repeat it.”
Parade-goer Melanie Greco, 60, of Parkchester, said she was planning to sign the petition.
“If there is anything I can do to save the statue, even if it’s just signing a piece of paper, I’ll do it,” she said.
The home-care aide said de Blasio “isn’t welcome here today.”
“This is supposed to be a joyous day and his presence would just taint it,” she added. “It would take away from all the good things.”
De Blasio is scheduled to march in Monday’s massive Columbus Day Parade up Fifth Avenue.
He last joined in the Bronx parade in 2015, but earlier this month, organizer Tony Signorile said de Blasio wasn’t invited — and called him a “fake Italian” for refusing to take a stand in support of the Columbus Circle statue.
Mayoral spokesman Eric Phillips said: “There’s no plan to touch the Columbus statue.
“The mayor’s entire focus is on celebrating the contributions of Italians to our city and nation. He’s not going to be distracted from this important task by a few political critics.”