The Christopher Columbus statue in Schenley Park in Oakland was vandalized as statues of the explorer and colonizer have been defaced across the country.
“Murder” and “OG Pig” were a few phrases written in paint across the statue, which is located across from Flagstaff Hill near Phipps Conservatory. Red handprints covered the base of it as well.
Tim McNulty, the director of communications for the city of Pittsburgh, said the statue was damaged sometime overnight Friday, although it is unknown when. An investigation into the perpetrator is currently underway.
Mr. McNulty said the public arts office is working in conjunction with a graffiti team to examine the statue before cleaning it to ensure it will not be further damaged. According to Mr. McNulty, this process is typical for vandalized statues.
The Columbus statue was vandalized in 2010 and 2017 on Christopher Columbus Day.
A petition on Change.org created on Thursday calls for the Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation Department to remove the statue from Schenley Park. It has over 1,000 signatures as of Friday afternoon.
First Published: June 12, 2020, 7:49 p.m.
