For Italian-Americans like me, 15th century explorer Christopher Columbus is a symbol of overcoming oppression and achieving the American Dream. Honoring him is a centuries-old tradition in my community that should remain as it is. Join me in the fight to preserve Italian heritage, which is at stake once again.

Mayor Bill de Blasio created the Mayoral Advisory Commission on City Art, Monuments and Markers to evaluate the impact of potentially offensive monuments around the city. I am outraged by his commission's scrutiny of Christopher Columbus monuments. Just as the Statue of Liberty gave hope to poor immigrants, Christopher Columbus was and is a figure full of light for Italian immigrants. The Italian-American community does not condone Columbus's faults but only celebrates his accomplishments.

I have contacted the National Park Service (NPS) to begin the process to nominate the five Columbus statues in NYC as National Historic Landmarks. According to the NPS, the purpose of such designation is "to ensure that stories of nationally significant historic events, places, or persons are recognized and preserved for the benefit of all citizens and to provide the property's historic character with a measure of protection against any project initiated by the Federal government."

I will proudly fight for my community's unique history and traditions to remain included in our collective American history. I urge community leaders and members to act with me. Contact my district office at 718-236-1598 or email me at coltonw@nyassembly.gov to voice your concerns and for opportunities to collaborate on this campaign to save the Columbus statues.