N.Y. poll: Keep Confed statues

ALBANY — Hands off the controversial Confederate-related statues and memorials.

That’s what a majority of New Yorker are saying in a new statewide Siena College poll released Wednesday.

The poll found that 59% of voters — including 52% in New York City — say the statues and memorials honoring Confederate figures like Robert E. Lee should stay up.

They agree with the statement that “like Washington, Jefferson and Columbus, they are part of our country’s history and for some, they are a source of pride and a celebration of our culture.” Just 35% statewide say the statues should be removed because “while historic, they celebrate people that rebelled against the United States, and for some, they represent slavery and segregation.”