Pictured above:Supervisor Joseph Saladino (center) joins with Councilmembers Lou Imbroto (3rd from left,) Michele Johnson (4th from right,) Tom Hand (2nd from right) and Town Clerk Jim Altadonna, Jr. (2nd from left) as well as local members of the Columbia Citizens Foundation and the Italian American Political Action Committee who support the “Save Columbus” initiative.
Organizations Rally in Defense of Italian Heritage and to Preserve the Legacy of the Italian Explorer
With two weeks until Columbus Day, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilmembers Michele Johnson, Louis Imbroto and Thomas Hand, as well as Town Clerk James Altadonna, Jr. joined with dozens of Italian-Americans from the local organizations in calling on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and other radical mayors around the nation to not remove their statutes of Christopher Columbus.
“If these radical mayors make the decision to remove Christopher Columbus statues, we will take them and display them proudly in Massapequa – home to one of the largest Italian-American populations in the nation,” Supervisor Saladino said. “Make no mistake, Christopher Columbus’ iconic statue in New York City’s Columbus Circle belongs right where it is. However, I am more than proud to welcome this or any Columbus statue to the Massapequa Triangle – the heart of our hamlet.”
Supervisor Saladino was compelled to lead the charge and join with many other local Italian-Americans in preserving and protecting the legacy of this great Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer.
“I think most of us are tired those trying to rewrite history,” Supervisor Saladino added. “It’s obvious Christopher Columbus had an enormous effect on the historical development of the Western World, and this can’t be denied, no matter how much they’d like it to be! Enough is enough of this political correctness gone awry.”
As part of this “Save Christopher Columbus” initiative, the Town and local chapter of the Order Sons of Italy have spearheaded a petition to drive to demonstrate the vast local support behind the issue.
“Many people have already signed this petition,” added Councilman Imbroto. “We sincerely believe that it sends a strong message that the public is tired of American history being re-interpreted. Attempts to remove or deface statues of Christopher Columbus are an affront to all Americans, but particularly Italian-Americans, who are justly proud of their rich heritage. We can’t just sit by idly and allow this to go unchallenged.”