At a meeting Thursday evening, New Britain's city council is expected to consider removing a Christopher Columbus statue from McCabe Park in the city. Members of the council who favor removing the monument say the explorer symbolizes a dark history of white supremacy and violence against indigenous people in the Americas. They say the statue, which was erected in 1941, provides little educational value outside of a museum. If the removal goes ahead, it could be replaced with another symbol of the contributions of Italian Americans. Columbus supporters say removing his statue amounts to erasing part of history.
Matt Dwyer is an editor, reporter and midday host for Connecticut Public's news department. He produces local news during All Things Considered.