After protests and chaotic clashes with activists trying to take it down, the Columbus statue in grant park has been removed in the dead of night.
WATCH:
CHICAGO, YOU DID IT!
THE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS STATUE IN GRANT PARK IS GONE!
LORI LIGHTFOOT FELT YOUR FUCKING HEAT AND REMOVED THE STATUE AT 3 AM IN A FEABLE ATTEMPT TO SAVE HER REPUTATION.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING. SEE YOU AT FREEDOM SQUARE.#DecolonizeZhigaagoong #DefundCPD pic.twitter.com/mVQbtb2sih
— Chicago Commune (@chicago_commune) July 24, 2020
BREAKING: The Columbus statue is indeed coming down in Grant Park. Crews are on the scene and rope is on the statue.
BREAKING: The Columbus statue is indeed coming down in Grant Park. Crews are on the scene and rope is on the statue. pic.twitter.com/3hetyojA1g
— WBBM Newsradio (@WBBMNewsradio) July 24, 2020
The crane has showed up to take down the Columbus statue here in the #SouthLoop #Chicago
The crane has showed up to take down the Columbus statue here in the #SouthLoop #Chicago pic.twitter.com/SaSjAN1xqI
— CapturedNews Shooter (@CNshooter) July 24, 2020
Per Fox News, where the statue would be stored – and whether it will return anytime soon – wasn’t immediately known.
Last Friday multiple police officers were injured and several arrests were made during a tense protest in which demonstrators tried to pull down the statue, FOX 32 in Chicago reported.
On Thursday, reports said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot planned to have the statue — as well as another Columbus statue in Little Italy – removed as early as Thursday night.