WATCH: Christopher Columbus statue removed from Columbus City Hall

Posted: Jul 1, 2020 / 05:11 AM EDT

Updated: Apr 7, 2021 / 04:47 PM EDT

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)– The Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus City Hall has been removed.

Crews and a crane arrived overnight Wednesday for the removal process on the south plaza of the building in downtown Columbus.

City of Columbus removing statue of Christoper Columbus today. City says arts council will decide what goes in its place. pic.twitter.com/nJmXxmjYQd
— Hattie Hawks (@HattieHawksNBC4) July 1, 2020

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther ordered that statue to be removed “as soon as possible” back on June 18th.

“For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness. That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past,” said Mayor Ginther. “Now is the right time to replace this statue with artwork that demonstrates our enduring fight to end racism and celebrate the themes of diversity and inclusion.”

The Columbus Arts Commission voted to approve the removal of the statue a few days later and have been tasked by Ginther to launch a community-driven process to find a new statue that embraces diversity.

Crews arrived to remove the statue around 4 a.m., and it was driven away from City Hall just before 7:30 a.m.

A spokesperson for the city says the removal of the statue cost $90,000.