Statue of Christopher Columbus (San Francisco)

The Statue of Christopher Columbus in San Francisco was a marble sculpture erected in 1894, originally located at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Broadway in the North Beach neighborhood. The statue depicted Columbus standing, holding a navigational chart. It was a gift from the Italian-American community of San Francisco, intended to celebrate Italian heritage and Columbus's role in the European exploration of the Americas.

Over time, the statue became increasingly controversial. Critics argued that Columbus represented colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and the oppression of indigenous peoples. These criticisms intensified in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, coinciding with growing awareness of the negative impacts of European colonization on indigenous populations worldwide.

In 2020, amid nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd and a broader reckoning with racial injustice, the statue was removed by the City of San Francisco. This decision followed similar removals of Columbus statues in other cities. The statue was placed in storage.

The removal of the Columbus statue sparked debate, with supporters arguing that it was an important symbol of Italian-American heritage and a representation of historical exploration, while opponents maintained that it was a symbol of oppression and genocide. The future of the statue remains uncertain.