Wilmington Debates Fate of Removed Columbus Statue

City officials and Italian American groups clash over whether to reinstall the controversial monument

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The city of Wilmington, Delaware is embroiled in a debate over the fate of a Christopher Columbus statue that was removed in 2020 amid racial unrest. Italian American groups want the statue returned to its original location, while some city officials argue it should not be displayed on public property. The issue has sparked passionate arguments on both sides as the city weighs where, or if, the statue should be reinstalled.

Why it matters

The Columbus statue has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over the legacy of historical figures linked to colonialism and racism. Wilmington's decision on the statue's future could set a precedent for how other cities handle similar controversies over public monuments.

The details

The 1,600-pound Columbus statue was erected in the 1950s by Wilmington's Italian American community, who see it as a symbol of their immigrant heritage. However, the statue was removed in 2020 by then-Mayor Mike Purzycki out of concern it would be damaged during racial justice protests. The statue's owner, the nonprofit Columbus Monument Committee, has since been pushing for its return to the original location or a new site in the city's Little Italy neighborhood.

  • The Columbus statue was removed in March 2020 during racial unrest.
  • In January 2025, the new mayor, John Carney, took office and inherited the statue issue.
  • On February 24, 2026, the Wilmington City Council voted 6-3 against a nonbinding resolution to ban the statue from public property.

The players

Al Greto

A lawyer representing Italian American groups who want the Columbus statue reinstalled in Wilmington.

Mike Purzycki

The former mayor of Wilmington who ordered the removal of the Columbus statue in 2020.

John Carney

The current mayor of Wilmington who inherited the Columbus statue issue when he took office in 2025.

Darby

A Wilmington City Council member who introduced a nonbinding resolution to ban the Columbus statue from public property.

Chris Johnson

A Wilmington City Council member who represents the district that includes the city's Little Italy neighborhood and opposed the resolution to ban the Columbus statue.

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What they’re saying

“It's either put it back where it came from or let's move on and grow up, put our big boy and big girl pants on, okay? Take a look at the whole thing and come up with an agreed-upon way of satisfying all the concerns of everybody. Either do that where it came from or do that over in Little Italy at Father Tucker Park, or wash your hands of the thing. Just give it to us and we'll take care of it.”

— Al Greto, Lawyer representing Italian American groups (whyy.org)

“We should respect all cultures in our community, and support what Italian Americans in our community are voicing, because the figure of Columbus is very important in their history.”

— Chris Johnson, Wilmington City Council member (whyy.org)

“There's mixed history on everyone. Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, right? This country's foundation was slavery and not-so-great history, but there's a lot of rich history, too. So I think that we should respect all history and educate on the past.”

— Chris Johnson, Wilmington City Council member (whyy.org)

What’s next

The Wilmington City Council will continue to debate the fate of the Columbus statue, with the possibility of finding a compromise solution that satisfies both the Italian American community and those who oppose the monument's presence on public property.

The takeaway

The controversy over the Columbus statue in Wilmington highlights the ongoing national debate over how to reckon with the complex legacies of historical figures. The city's decision on the statue's future could set an important precedent for other communities grappling with similar issues.