Community Corner
Tower Grove Park Removes Christopher Columbus Statue
The statue has come to symbolize "a historical disregard for indigenous peoples and cultures and destruction of their communities."
ST. LOUIS, MO — A statue of Christopher Columbus has been removed from Tower Grove Park, following the toppling or removal of other Columbus statues across the country.
Local activists have long said the statue glorifies racism, but it came under fresh scrutiny after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, was charged with murdering Floyd during an arrest in May. The incident was caught on video, sparking nationwide protests.
"Tower Grove Park celebrates the diversity of our community every day and serves as the centerpiece of the region's most vibrant neighborhoods. When a statue of Christopher Columbus was placed in the park 140 years ago, its purpose was to celebrate the contributions of immigrants in this region. But now, for many, it symbolizes a historical disregard for indigenous peoples and cultures and destruction of their communities," the park said in a statement.
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"In order to ensure a safe, inclusive and pleasant environment for park visitors and team members alike, the Park's Board of Commissioners has authorized the removal of the Columbus statue to begin the week of June 15. By taking this action, Tower Grove Park reaffirms its commitment to being a place of welcome, and to caring for the people's park in the best way possible."
Bill Reininger, Tower Grove Park's executive director, told Patch two years ago the statue was originally installed — by St. Louis philanthropist Henry Shaw, who donated the land for the park as well as the adjoining Missouri Botanical Garden — to welcome Italian immigrants to the city.
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But activists said its meaning has changed since then.
"The statue is a symbol of racism, colonialism, patriarchy — this legacy Columbus brought with him when he came over from Europe," said Chris Singer, who helped organize a 2018 protest. "[T]his legacy is not something in the past. It's a present-day crisis for a lot of people."
The statue was removed Tuesday morning, according to the Post-Dispatch.
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