Returning the Columbus Statue to its Pedestal

Hi, the Italian-American Defense League Monument Task Force and IADL members want unity and justice. We believe on June 24, 2020, the City of New Haven illegally removed Wooster Square's Columbus statue. That day the protests of 50 or more people of Italian descent were ignored when the city lifted the statue off its pedestal and placed it face-down in storage. The symbolic bond that cemented the acceptance of Italians as Americans in Connecticut was broken.

New Haven's Christopher Columbus statue was dedicated by Paul Russo, representing united Italian societies, on October 21, 1892. The statue was a symbol of Italian immigrants becoming an integral part of New Haven and Connecticut. It was the first time an immigrant group outside of the Protestant power structure was recognized with a public monument. The mayor, Joseph Sargent, proclaimed, "It will stay here as a pledge of the loyalty of the Italians of this country to the nation and its flag. I believe that all prejudices should be wiped out."

With the unjust removal of the statue, the symbol to end prejudice for future generations was attacked by misunderstanding and hatred.

That is why we are asking for your donation to counter this historic injustice. Instead of tearing statues down, let's put more statues up. Let's promote unity instead of division.

The funds will be used for legal action against the city, returning the statue to its rightful place in Wooster Square, and restoring the legacy of Christopher Columbus.

For more information, go to iadlnow.org .

Now is the time!

Donations are NOT tax deductible.