The legal team taking action to protect a statue of Christopher Columbus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania secured a major win on Friday. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit to block the removal of the statue in Schenley Park, meaning that the case will return to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas “for further factfinding and decision.” George Bochetto, an acclaimed litigator and defender of Columbus who is leading the charge to safeguard the monument, expressed his satisfaction with the recent news:
“I am delighted the Commonwealth Court agreed that the dismissal of this lawsuit by the lower court was plain error and that, while the mayor of Pittsburgh has certain First Amendment rights, he does not have free reign to violate the law,” said Bochetto. “I am also hopeful that the new mayor will sit down with me to reach a resolution without further costly litigation and a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
Bochetto filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) as part of a larger effort to stop the removal of Columbus monuments across the country, including in the Steel City. The 13-foot-tall bronze-and-granite statue in Schenley Park is of particular significance to the local Italian community, given that it was erected over 65 years ago with the help of numerous donations from poor Italian immigrants. According to ISDA National President Basil M. Russo, the statue “symbolizes the contributions and sacrifices of not only Italian immigrants, but of all immigrants, to the growth and success of the city of Pittsburgh. This history has the same right to be preserved and celebrated as the history of all other groups.”
This news is just the latest of a long-fought battle that began in 2020 when the monument was covered due to objections from several locals. The initial lawsuit was filed in Septemeber 2022 after representatives of the Italian American community tried to find a compromise to preserve the statue, but Mayor Bill Peduto still moved forward with efforts to remove it based on a recommendation from the Pittsburgh Art Commission. Although Common Pleas Judge John McVay Jr dismissed this litigation as “an improper interference with the (City of Pittsburgh’s) right to speech,” Judge Patricia McCullough clarified that ISDA’s argument was not based on denying the speech rights of city officials. Instead, ISDA contended that Peduto and the Art Commission violated their “rights to due process, violated public trust principles, and breached a contract entered into between the city and ISDA’s putative predecessor, the Sons of Columbus.”
As Bochetto and ISDA continue to fight the good fight, you can show your support by signing the petition here.
Resources:
- PA Judges Unanimously Revive Lawsuit That Would Prevent the Removal of Pittsburgh’s Christopher Columbus Statue [ISDA]
- State court sends Christopher Columbus statue removal debate back to Allegheny County Court, advocates react [Tribune-Review]
