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A statue of Christopher Columbus in Philadelphia will remain boxed for the city’s Columbus Day parade, a judge ruled on Saturday.
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Paula Patrick overturned a lower court ruling that would have removed the box before the town of Brotherly Love appealed the ruling on Friday.
The statue, located in South Philly’s Marconi Plaza where Sunday’s parade will end, has been locked in a wooden box since the civil unrest last summer, sparked by the police murder of George Floyd.
The statue and the square became the scene of several violent clashes between opposing protest groups.
The Italian explorer, often credited with discovering the New World, has a complex heritage. For many Italian Americans, Columbus is a cultural hero for his courageous exploits; but for many other indigenous peoples and minorities, it is a symbol of violent colonization and oppression.
The city, led by Mayor Jim Kenney, has been pushing for the Italian explorer’s statue to be completely removed from the park dating from last year.
In August, Patrick ruled that the city’s decision to remove the statue was not supported by law and based on insufficient evidence, according to local reports.
On Saturday, Patrick overturned a Commonwealth Court order that would have unpacked the statue, granting the city’s emergency appeal.
The city said the move is a public safety measure given the violence the statue has instigated in the past.
“Removing the plywood siding over this statutory holiday weekend would pose a serious risk to public safety,” the mayor’s office said in a statement to NBC10.
Mayor Kenney said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday evening that he was satisfied with the court’s decision, adding that no decision had been made regarding the statue permanently.
“I am grateful that the Commonwealth Court has taken the time to consider this important issue this evening. The Commonwealth Court reinstated the stay and quashed the Common Pleas Court order earlier today. No action will be taken regarding the statue at this time. “
A police officer is stationed next to the statue, and additional security measures are in place to keep the peace following the judge’s order, CBS 3 reported
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