New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
March 14, 1891 lynchings were catalyst for Columbus monument
The words cast on the plaque of Wooster Square’s Columbus Monument were “A Cristoforo Colombo Gl’ Italiani di New Haven.” The Italians of New Haven erected the Columbus Monument in 1892 after violence and lynchings against Italian immigrants in West Virginia and New Orleans. In the aftermath of the New Orleans lynchings of 11 Italian immigrants on March 14, 1891, a group of prominent Italian men from New Haven met and denounced the lynchings. The energy at that meeting was the catalyst for the planning and preparation of the events to follow.
On Oct. 11, 1892, thousands at the Columbus Day parade lined the streets of New Haven for miles, including members of civic organizations from throughout the city. Two days later, the hands of Italians laid the cornerstone, and the Columbus statue was dedicated a little more than a week later on the 21st. Paul Russo, representing United Italian Societies, also a banker and first Italian to earn a degree from Yale Law School, dedicated the monument to Christopher Columbus on Oct. 21, 1892. The statue, fully funded by Italian residents, faced Long Island Sound, the route to the New World. Columbus set the path for New Haven Italians to follow to the Land of Opportunity, and they admired him for his faith, courage, and spirit of enlightenment.
Without a strong national identity in Italy and living in the tenements of “Little Naples” in Wooster Square, 1892 marked an important date. It was the first time Italians felt part of a nation, part of America, because it was one of their own, Christopher Columbus, who connected two worlds 400 years earlier. Children across the United States pledged their allegiance to the flag for the first time on Columbus Day, 1892, showing its roots as a patriotic holiday. The Italians in Wooster Square championed the anniversary in New Haven with visitors from every part of the state.
The Wooster Square Columbus Monument marked two moments in history, 1492 and 1892. We are the beneficiaries of the New Haven Italians of 1892, and it is our duty to honor their wishes to keep their Columbus monument erected in perpetuity. It is an injustice that that statue was removed by an angry mob and complicit mayor.
Matthew Guarnieri is president of the Italian-American Defense League, a nonprofit that promotes education, portrays Italians positively, and preserves traditions.