Keep the Columbus Monument

The Christopher Columbus Statue stays in place in front of Borough Hall

Pioneering 19th-century artist Emma Stebbins might well have been the latest victim of the irrational frenzy that seeks to wipe away all memory of Christopher Columbus, but for the grass roots support of local citizens.

Stebbins, a trailblazer who was gay, was the first woman awarded a New York City art commission for her interpretation of the Great Admiral of the Ocean Sea. In 2021, a small group known as Take Down Columbus set their sights on ridding Stebbins’ Columbus statue, commissioned in 1863 and one of her earliest works. Determined to prevent Stebbins and Columbus from being carried off into the night, a group of courageous New Yorkers stepped forward, demanding that Community Board 2 in Brooklyn Heights reject Take Down Columbus. Nearly two years later, we are thrilled to report that Emma Stebbins and her Columbus memorial in Columbus Park have prevailed, thanks to a coalition of activists and their appeal to drop the hate and seek the truth.

As we begin 2023, we thank all who have supported the Columbus Monument Corporation in its drive to preserve the historic Columbus Monument Syracuse, and those who have supported the Columbus Heritage Coalition and its mission, as we say, to “Drop the hate. Seek the truth.” We are proud of what we all have achieved together. The new year will bring new challenges, including a proposal in the New York State Legislature that abolishes Columbus Day and renames the holiday Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Rest assured, we will continue to reach out, build bridges and protect our statues, holidays, and heritage.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Vivolo is the president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition. The organization’s web site is https://www.columbusheritagecoalition.org/leadership/ 

U.S. National Native American Heritage Day is observed today, November 26.  American Indians are accorded special honor on this day, and we are pleased to join in the celebration of their rich cultures, accomplishments, contributions, and heritage.

Our thanks to everyone for attending the mass, the ceremony at the Circle, and the luncheon honoring our own Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and Ralph Rotella. It was a wonderful tribute to two great Syracuse citizens.

This morning Our Lady of Pompei Church graciously hosted a mass for the Columbus Monument Corporation in celebration of our immigrant ancestors who gave us the gift of US citizenship. In attendance were honorees Ralph Rotella and Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, as well as last year’s honoree County Executive J. Ryan McMahon. It was a wonderful observance.

The Columbus Monument Corporation invites you to join us for our Annual Columbus Day Luncheon Celebration at 12:00 p.m. on Monday October 10, 2022.  Our luncheon will be held at the Oncenter’s Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center, following a Wreath Laying ceremony at Columbus Circle at 11:00 a.m.  

Join us to honor this year’s recipient of the Joseph J. Pietrafesa Award, Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli for his years of service and his commitment to our community representing the 129^th Assembly District.  

We will also be honoring Ralph Rotella with the Pirro Family “Santa Maria” Award for his outstanding citizenship efforts and work on behalf of the Syracuse Rescue Mission. 

Tickets for the luncheon are $40 per person and $400 for a table of ten.    

We ask you to consider a donation to our campaign to preserve the Columbus Monument.  This year, more than ever before, your support for this important campaign is needed.  Any size donation is greatly appreciated. Donors of over $100 will be recognized at the luncheon. Donations are tax deductible. 

All checks should be made payable to Columbus Monument Corporation, and sent to:

Columbus Monument Corporation 

c/o Ginnie Lostumbo, Treasurer

220 Clayton Manor Drive Apt 9

Liverpool, NY 13088

Any dietary restrictions must be sent with your check. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to change meals the day of the luncheon. Upon receipt of your check, we will arrange for all tickets to be held at the entrance to the luncheon on October 10^th.    If you have any questions, you may contact Ginnie Lostumbo at (315) 422-7750.

Your reply by Saturday October 1, 2022, will be greatly appreciated. 

Bob Gardino and Anthony Ilacqua in New York City with Basil Russo, President of the Conference, at the Columbus Foundation headquarters.

Our mission is to preserve the culture, history and values our parents and grandparents passed on to us. COPOMIAO provides us with the opportunity to honor the memories of those who are no longer with us, and express our gratitude to those that are.” 

Basil M. Russo, President, COPOMIAO

The Columbus Monument Corporation was pleased to become the newest member of COPOMIAO at its July meeting. Formed in 1975 and based in New York City, the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations is comprised of 58 of the most influential cultural, educational, fraternal and anti-defamation groups in the nation.

The new association with COPOMIAO brings national awareness and importance to our preservation efforts in Syracuse, and to our continued legal confrontation with Mayor Ben Walsh. We are proud to support the efforts of COPOMIAO to preserve our immigrant heritage, and are pleased to have its support in our campaign to preserve and protect the historic Columbus Monument Syracuse.

For more information visit www.copomiao.org

As the mob chants “take it down” Ben Walsh stands firmly with his comrades (their words, not ours).

This was before his sham “Action Committee” even concluded. He participated in this event, but shunned the celebration of a national holiday at the event below, attended by hundreds of actual Syracuse citizens.

Walsh acted illegally in an attempt to carry out the mob’s demands, but thankfully was stopped by the New York Supreme Court.

ART. HISTORY. HERITAGE. Syracuse citizens deserve all three.