CHICAGO _ Mayor Lori Lightfoot is planning to remove the controversial statue of Christopher Columbus from Chicago's Grant Park as soon as Thursday night, in part to avoid another high-profile confrontation between police and protesters like the one that happened last week, sources told The Chicago Tribune.
Not all Italian American leaders in Chicago are on board with the decision, but it has received the blessing of some groups, sources said.
Protesters marched downtown last Friday then headed into Grant Park, where a group of people attempted to take down the statue, similar to what's happened in other cities across the country.
But chaos followed the protest as officers and demonstrators clashed around the statue. At least 20 complaints of police brutality were filed against Chicago cops, including one involving activist Miracle Boyd, who said she was hit in the face by a police officer during the skirmish, knocking out at least one of her teeth.
Lightfoot and police leaders blamed a group of protesters wielding black umbrellas and shields for inciting what they called "anarchy." Lightfoot also said she isn't happy with officers who may have mistreated protesters or reporters.
Chicago's statues of Columbus have become a heated controversy for Lightfoot, who has rejected calls to bring down monuments honoring the explorer.
She also has rejected calls to rename the Columbus Day holiday.
Columbus has been condemned by activists around the country who point to the Italian explorer's mistreatment of Indigenous people after he landed in the Americas in 1492.
Chicago police SUVs and a van sat parked near and inside the park Thursday night, along with Chicago Park District security SUVs.
