Overnight on July 24, the city removed statues of Christopher Columbus statue from Grant Park and Little Italy, ABC 7 Chicago reported.
The Grant Park statue started to come down at around 3:15 a.m.; the one in Little Italy's Arrigo Park was removed around 5:30 a.m.
The Grant Park statue was the focus of a protest that turned into a violent clash between Chicago police and protesters July 17, after said protesters tried to bring it down.
Those who wanted the statue gone cited what they said were the displacement and mistreatment of Native Americans that followed the colonization of North America. Some Italian Americans in Chicago have said Columbus symbolizes their achievements in this country.
Windy City Times received a statement from Lightfoot's press office. In part, it read, "The City of Chicagoat Mayor Lightfoot's directionhas temporarily removed the Christopher Columbus statues in Grant Park and Arrigo Park until further notice. This action was taken after consultation with various stakeholders. It comes in response to demonstrations that became unsafe for both protesters and police, as well as efforts by individuals to independently pull the Grant Park statue down in an extremely dangerous manner.
"This step is about an effort to protect public safety and to preserve a safe space for an inclusive and democratic public dialogue about our city's symbols. In addition, our public safety resources must be concentrated where they are most needed throughout the city, and particularly in our South and West Side communities."
See abc7chicago.com/christopher-columbus-statue-chicago-grant-park-mayor-lightfoot/6332380/ for the full article.