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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more A statue of Christopher Columbus has been placed near the White House in the latest effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to recognize the controversial explorer. The statue is a replica of one that was thrown into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020 during Trump’s first term at a time of nationwide protests against institutional racism. “In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump will ensure he’s honored as such for generations to come,” the White House posted on X. “We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected,” said John Pica, a Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United, which owns the statue and agreed to loan it to the federal government for placement at or near the White House. The statue, made mostly of marble, was created by Will Hemsley, a sculptor based in Centreville on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and has been installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House. Trump endorses a traditional view of Columbus as a leader of the 1492 mission seen as the unofficial beginning of European colonization in America and shaping modern economic and political order. But in recent years, Columbus has also been recognized as a key example of Western Europe’s conquest over native peoples and their resources in what became known as America. The statue of Christopher Columbus standing in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington (AP) The original statue was toppled by protesters on July 4, 2020, and thrown into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after anger boiled over following George Floyd’s death at police hands. It was just one among many statues that were vandalized around that time; protesters claimed Columbus was responsible for genocide against indigenous peoples in America. Lately, some people have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. In 2021, President Joe Biden became America’s first president to officially acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day with his proclamation. Trump dismisses this shift regarding Columbus as “left-wing arsonists” distorting history and altering Americans’ shared memory. “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from ashes.” he declared last April. Echoing his campaign talk for 2024, he complained that “Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all Italians that love him so much.”Source link
