On Wednesday, Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) presented legislation in the Senate’s State Government and Finance Committee that would restore and repatriate the Christopher Columbus statue to the Capitol grounds. The statue was torn down on June 10during a wave of unrest across the Twin Cities.
“Rioters do not dictate the policies of our state, nor do their opinions and beliefs represent the views of every Minnesotan,” Senator Ingebrigtsen said. “This is public property, and it belongs to everyone. Minnesota has clear procedures that everyone in this state needs to abide by, whether you’re on the right or the left. This legislation sends a message to those who want to do damage and cause harm that we’re not going to stand for that, and we’re not going to allow mob rule.”
The monument was created by sculptor Carlo Brioschi and dedicated in 1931 as a gift to the city from Italian Americans in Minnesota. For years, Italian immigrants were considered ethnic outsiders by Minnesotans. The statue was meant to lift up all Italians by honoring the most notable Italian in United States history at the time.
When protesters toppled the statue in June, they did approximately $154,000 in damage to the bronze statue, granite base, decorative eagle wings, and commemorative plaque. Despite significant video evidence and a police presence, only one person was charged with the statue’s toppling. That individual ultimately reached a deal with the Ramsey County Attorney that resulted in just 100 hours of community service.
There are proper channels for the removal of statues and art on the Capitol grounds. The state’s Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board is responsible for voting on and deciding these changes. The board’s executive secretary has estimated that commissioning and installing a new sculpture other than the Columbus statue could take three to six years and costs around $400,000.