ONLINE FEEDBACK

Here is what readers of theday.com had to say about last week’s article, “New Londoners to debate future of Columbus statue in light of protests.”

“This statue has been spray painted again. I’d much rather public works spend their time mowing public spaces than cleaning this statue time and again. The schools need to be mowed, the parks need to be mowed, Broad St Fire Dept needs to be mowed... take the statue down already.”

— Holly McCalla

“Just an idea. Leave it for artistic value and under his name engrave ‘murderer, rapist, slave trader.’”

— Reid Burdick

“I would 100% support moving the statue to a place that might welcome it, being a significant gift from Italian immigrant families at the time.”

— Robert Bareiss

“The story of Columbus is a very mixed bag and well worth knowing. He is a reflection of the good and evil of the western world 500 years ago. As such, his story must be remembered and discussed in context, not just judged by today’s standards and expectations. As for the statue’s removal, I am on the fence. Perhaps, as Reid says, a panel giving a generally agreed upon account of the explorer’s life could help provide the balance people are looking for.”

— William Morse

“Colombo was a gift by those who appreciated him and wanted him remembered. Others do not. I think there is room for another gift statue to reflect our community’s maturing consciousness.”

— Matt McCauley

“The immigrant families who were a significant foundation of New London’s past donated that statue to commemorate their heritage. It still commemorates their lives, sacrifices and successes in New London and in no way was it meant to commemorate what some historians feel they have uncovered in his past. New London has acres and acres of open space to erect statues that commemorate events significant to today’s neighborhoods.”

— Dan McCarthy