MaryAnn Zeppetello
“In my childhood, Columbus was the Italian that could fill me with pride. When I was bullied for being Italian, I could always point to the fact that my "tormentors" wouldn't be here if it were not for Columbus. The Columbus Statue has been a part of my long life. I graduated from Central High School and would often pass the statue when I would go to our marvelous library located in the circle.
A few years ago I learned about the "Doctrine of Discovery", which laid the foundation for Columbus to claim this land for Spain and enslave the peoples he found here. I learned about the real Columbus, not the sanitized version. Learning about the real Columbus is enough for me to support his removal from such a prominent circle. I think if my grandparents were alive, they would approve. “