Johnston welcomes controversial Christopher Columbus statue

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The well-known and controversial statue of Christopher Columbus that once stood in Providence was permanently placed in Johnston Tuesday morning.

Town officials and residents watched as the statue was lifted by crane and placed in Johnston Memorial Park.

Former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino gifted the statue to Johnston after he purchased it from the city for $50,000 in March. It was in storage the since 2020 after being vandalized several times in the Elmwood neighborhood.

“We’re going to keep an eye on it,” said one Johnston native. “It’s a shame they defaced it.”

Another added, “It was heritage for the Italian people. It was history. Right or wrong, it’s history.”

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena told ABC 6 News the town has surveillance to safeguard the statue.

“Don’t mess around in Johnston,” Polisena added.

The town plans to officially unveil the statue on Columbus Day.