A Monumental Disgrace

THE ISSUE: Monuments Removal Brigade group vandalizes Natural History Museum’s Roosevelt statue.

Acts of vandalism, such as the one at the American Museum of Natural History (“Museum’s Roosevelt statue defaced,” Oct. 27), are the result of the failure of Mayor de Blasio to take the clear, strong and consistent position that public monuments are off-limits to anyone or group contemplating damaging them in any way.

Setting up a “commission” to evaluate all monuments, in the midst of a national controversy occurring in another region of the country, served to cast doubt on the validity of every NYC monument and pave the way for criminals to deface them.

The attacks on Christopher Columbus statutes, plus the Theodore Roosevelt one at the iconic Natural History Museum, leaves us wondering “Who’s next?” and “What’s next?” Hopefully, there’ll be no further act of vandalism. Bill Russo Old Bridge, NJ

Not only are those vandals criminals, they are also ignorant of Ameri- can history.

In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to invite a black person (Booker T. Washington) to lunch in the White House. It was an event that caused a stir. He also insisted on fair treatment for the African porters on his trips to that continent.

He invited Native Americans to march in his inauguration in 1905 and did what he could to advance their interests. Susan Addelston Manhattan