COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mayor Andrew Ginther is legally allowed to order the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue, per Columbus City Attorney’s Office.
Under the city code, the actual removal is ordered by the Director of Facilities Management who works for the mayor.
The Columbus Arts Commission, which serves in an advisory role to the city regarding public art on city property, only has the power regarding the installation of art, not removal.
Michael Young is attempting to stop the removal and filed a complaint in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Young appeared before Judge Judy Lynch who dismissed the complaint without reason and did not let him or the attorney’s representing the city speak on the matter.
“I wasn't able to say a word and neither did the attorney's representing the city attorney. She said my motion had no merit and I said 'can I talk judge?' and she said no, motion denied. There's no rational reason to take this statue down and I and a lot of other citizens I know are against taking this statue down,” he said.
10TV reached out to the court for comment but did not hear back.
The Christopher Columbus statue has stood at City hall since 1955. There is no date set when the statute will come down.
Meanwhile, a plan to remove the Christopher Columbus statue at the statehouse is expected to be part of the July 1st agenda for the Capital Review and Advisory Board.
However, Laura P. Battocletti Executive Director, said there are no rules governing the removal of statues only for placing them on state property.
To remove the statue, she said it will require the board to create a new policy or rule which would ultimately need to be approved by the board that oversees administrative codes.
The Christopher Columbus Discovery Monument at the Statehouse was created by the W.H. Mullins Company of Salem, Ohio in 1892.
The statue stayed on the grounds of the college, which was originally located on the east side of Columbus until it moved to its current location on North High Street in 1932.