Is Vandalizing Columbus Statue a ‘Hate Crime’?
- Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:37am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (The Blaze/AP) — A statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence, R.I. was doused in red paint and a sign reading “murderer” was hung around its waist over the Columbus Day holiday.
WJAR-TV reports the vandalism was discovered Monday morning.
The statue of a standing and pointing Columbus sits at a busy intersection in the capital city.
Police say they are investigating it as vandalism.
A representative of the Sons of Italy tells WPRO-AM that he would like the vandalism to be investigated as a hate crime against Italians.
“When a kid spray paints the side of a building, that’s vandalism”, Raymond Dettore of the local Sons of Italy told WPRO’s John Depetro. “When they do something like this that sends a message I think it above an average vandalism case.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (112)
lainpa
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:35pmThis happend not once but TWICE here in Pittsburgh. The stupid anarchist defaced the Christopher Columbus statue in Schenley Park next to the Phipps Conservatory.
Report Post »http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23101004/detail.html
angrymob
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:17pmThere’s a Laura and a Carolyn on this message board…weird. My name is Laura and my mom’s name is Carolyn…what’s the odds?
Report Post »Carolyn
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:04pmIt’s a crime crime! and if we legitimize crime as the opener for a discussion what are we teaching our children?
Report Post »green_manalishi
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:03pmThis is obviously not a hate crime because in order to be a hate crime the victim has to be a black ,gay, or a progressive campaign doner. Because Chris Columbus is not black, not a lesbian, not a liberal media member or even a ‘human being “according to some in liberal higher ed, it cannot and must not be confused with the worthy goal of prosecuting people whos actions are guided by hate towards race , sex, or union enforced socialism. I pray for the lisping ,testosterone challenged , ethnically envious progressive avenger who had to pay for the red paint out of his own pant sagging pockets, for he is the real victim
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:02pmColumbus is not what makes my peoples mad. What makes us mad is the white washing of history by good Christians. Columbus Day marks the anniversary of the beginning of a white Christian genocide against my peoples which lasted four-hundred years.
I do not condone vandalism, especially vandalism of historic artifacts. Nor do I condone Christians arrogantly rewriting history nor condone Christians arrogantly denying truth.
Christians today are not responsible for the past. Christians are responsible for today’s lingering racism, just as Christians today are responsible for white washing history.
Those who vandalized this statue are to be held accountable. Christians are to be held accountable for deceitfully white washing history. This is justice.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
C. Schwehr
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:11pmAn interesting, and inciteful comment from the other side of the conversation. Yes, many sins were commited against the people who lived here before the europeans re-discovered the western hemisphere.
Report Post »The irrefutable fact still remains that in any meeting of two different civilizations, the less advance peoples will LOSE every time! I do hope that your peoples will be able to work out your own problems and become strong within your remaining enclaves!
Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:59pmC. SHCWEHR comments, “the europeans re-discovered the western hemisphere.”
Re-discovered?
C. SHCWEHR continues, “less advance peoples will LOSE every time!”
As opposed to the most insanely murderous generally win.
C. SHCWEHR adds, “I do hope that your peoples will be able to work out your own problems”
Such as problems caused by 400 years of genocide and racism by white Christians such as you?
C. SHCWEHR closes, “your remaining enclaves!”
Enclaves? Not culture nor nations nor peoples nor tribes?
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
CandaceGray25
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 4:37pmI’m a Christian. I’m not white.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:22am” What makes us mad is the white washing of history by good Christians.”
Please tell me your kidding.
” Christians are responsible for today’s lingering racism, just as Christians today are responsible for white washing history.”
Really? I mean I know your smarter than that. It seems as though there is allot of anger there and rightfully so, but come on. Do you honestly think that if all Christians disappeared there would be no racism?
I”m wearing a helmet BTW as I am prepared for the Whiskey bottle LOL
Report Post »ozz
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:54am@Okpulot Taha You lost the war. Deal with it. To the winner the spoils. As it has been from the dawn of time. As it was when your people displaced a weaker tribe to occupy your tribal grounds.
Ozz of the Cherokee nation.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:24am@Okpulot Taha
Blame Cortes, NOT Columbus or the NA settlers.
I’ll be brief, however – The majority of “Native” deaths [in North America] were the result of the “Natives” having no immunities to European diseases. The idea that settlers just came over and decided to slaughter an entire populace is absolutely asinine and borderline delusional. Yes, Cortes and his Conquistadors did in fact did travel to South America and commit genocide and practiced slavery in the name of Christianity and wealth… However, you can blame the South American genocides on the Spaniards [as Columbus was, but had nothing to do with Cortes] and NOT the North American settlers that came from other areas of Europe, which settled on the Eastern seaboard.
Also, the Natives weren’t exactly living in a Utopian society either pre-Columbus [or Ericson]. Different tribes were quite hostile to one another AND to the settlers as well. This has been documented in both writings and archeological records.
With that said you have a point with Cortes and his Spanish Conquistadors but to paint the settlers as some kind of sadistic genocide artists is nuts and isn’t fair to their intentions.
Report Post »JohnH3
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:52pmDuh, yes. It is a hate crime against all whites of European descent. (If I may wear my liberal “I’m offended by everything and if it offends me it must be racist” T-shirt for just a moment.)
Report Post »dougcoburn
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:46pmColumbus is one of the most slandered men in history. It is disgraceful the lies that have been spread and attributed to him. Most people think they know the story of Christopher Columbus but 90% of the history we are told is a pure fabrication. Do you think that the myth that everyone thought that the world was flat was the only one spread about Columbus? Progressives have completely rewritten history on this one. Yes, evil things were done by the hand of early Spanish travelers to the native Americans here. No, Christopher Columbus can not be faulted for their actions. Before repeating any of these lies, demand to see the original sources and accounts, not the trash that has been written after 1900.
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:34pmDon’t get me wrong, but Columbus was a pretty bad dude. As governor he so enraged his own constituents, that after his tenure, and on his fourth big mission, staring down the barrel of a hurricane the people wouldn’t let him land his ships. Then again, without him the world might be a very different place, one without an American republic.
Report Post »CandaceGray25
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:45pmWithout the past we would not be here today. It is not our job to make up for someone else’s past transgressions. If the natives don‘t want to celebrate Columbus Day then they don’t have to. The holiday should serve as a reminder to everyone as individuals. Whether it conjures up hate or hope inside of you. These vandals are nothing but vandals, giving them a story only fuels their fire. We shouldn’t listen to people who do irresponsible things to get attention. Also, there was a youtube.com video that was circling titled “no disrespect”. You can really see the hate brewing in their eyes. I pray to God, that he will calm their hearts and allow them to forgive those in the past. I pray that he will give them serenity.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:39pmThe left started this crusade against Columbus years ago. No parades, saying he was a murderer, etc. Columbus is a very important part of our history and he has been removed from the history books like so many other important people in history. The Spanish and Italian people have every right to be proud of the contributions Columbus made to North America. Of course this is a hate crime, but just like the New Black Panthers ordeal…it does not matter if people of certain races are hurt…only Blacks and Muslims are being protected in this country.
Report Post »Iamtheoracle
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:35pmIT would only be a hate crime if Columbus was a black muslim democrat Italian
Report Post »Laura
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:25pmIf going around to the funerals of soldiers who died for their country and holding signs saying “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” isn’t a HATE CRIME – then why the heck should this be a hate crime? Seriously – the education in our country is SO POOR – I seriously doubt many Americans even know that Columbus was Italian.
Report Post »lycanknight
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:24pmIt is inevitable that when all valid argument for a loosing point of view has been discredited or proven false, sore losers believe it is perfectly legitimate to resort to vandalism and violence as the next answer. This is when ignorant people harden their hearts and begin to act like a bunch of 4 year old kids. This is nothing more than throwing a tantrum and writhing on the floor for attention. Simply pathetic and such a display is no way to foster respect or faith for an argument to anyone they are trying to convince of the argument’s validity. All credibility is ruined and any future actions will only bring about the same result.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:20pmDespicable as this act is, so called “hate-crimes” ought to be stricken as unconstitutional. They punish “thought” which is a form of FREE SPEECH. If found and convicted, the individuals responsible should be punished fully and accordingly!
Report Post »GnomeChomsky
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 7:29pmA lot laws punish thought(1st Deg Murder, Conspiracy,Possession w/Intent, etc) should we banish them too?
Report Post »ozz
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:20am@Gnome Funny you ask. Yes we should. Actions should be punishable, never thoughts.
Report Post »rubberbandangle
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:08pmFunny. If Columbus didn‘t ’discover’ this land, someone else would have. And I am sure if it was an African, Middle Easterner, Asian, etc…that the same end result would have happened to the natives here.
History is what it is. You cannot put the mindset of a modern person into that of someone from the 1400′s. Period.
I celebrate Columbus, because we DO live in the GREATEST COUNTRY ON THE PLANET, much to the chagrin of progressives and liberals.
My only wish is that if they hate themselves so much, and want things to be more like Cuba, China, or Venezuela, that they all move there. No one is stopping them. The ironic thing is if they did, and they didn’t like it, they would not have the luxury of leaving again.
I hope they find the thugs that did it.
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:21pmI concur.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:03pmWhat do you think would happen in this country if that was done to a muslin statue? Seems funny to me that people can burn our flags, live here and run us down, damage our statues, etc. and there is only a real hue and cry when it is done to snother country. If people don’t like this country and they are living here, they are true hippocrits. They should go back to their own country if they think it is so great and we are so bad.
Report Post »LSX
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:01pmJust another proud moment to be living in Rhode Island & Providence Plantations – NOT
Damn Brown University morons were protesting “Columbus Day” and this smells like their stench..
Maybe when Obammy visits this month on a fund raising for ******* Davey Cicillini, (current Providence mayor) he could have his ACORN peeps clean the statue?
.
Report Post »BloodSweatandTears
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:35pmHey look! Somebody made a new job! Unfortunately cleaning up after the “real mess,” is going to take a long, long, concentrated time..
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:58amMore anti-colonialists like Obama and Jones. They blame Columbus for stealing America from the Indians.
Report Post »GnomeChomsky
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 7:26pmMan those anti-colonialists are bad! You know like Jefferson,Frankllin, Adams, Washington etc.
Report Post »ozz
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:13am@Gnome don’t be silly, You are mistaking anti-tyrants for anti-colonialists.
Report Post »Post-Progressive American
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:55amHmm. Most likely not a ‘hate crime’ against Italians, more likely a political statement against the Colonization of America.
In any case, most destructive or violent crimes are based in hate in one form or another; laws against ‘hate crimes’ are redundant and unnecessary.
Report Post »Revotelution
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:55amThat cannot be determined until they know who the suspect is: Progressive suspect = vandalism, Conservative suspect = Hate Crime
Report Post »Griz489
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:52amwow people really need to act like grown ups. When you destroy things it does not help. It just creates more problems.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:09amYa like exposing how people like to live in the past. So when do we all wake up and realize there are a few countries planning all out deaths?
Report Post »winterhawka7ac
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:50amDon’t know about that but obama as “president” certainly is.
Report Post »TheyTookOurJOBS
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:49amThey took our JOBS!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:55amLol…ok?
Report Post »Ellie
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:40pmWhile those coming across our southern border may be “tak’n our jobs!”, Canadians simply come in on a visitors visa to go on American Game Shows…. “They‘re Tak’n Our Prizes!” :P
Seriously check out the day time game shows (wheel of fortune, price is right, etc.) for a week and count the number of Canadian players. I‘ve even seen them compete on America’s Got Talent? What the heck!?, there’s no Canadians Got Talent Eh?
Report Post »janddjohnson
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 5:00pmLMAO at Ellie
Report Post »crutcher1212
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 7:52pm@ellie Now that’s funny! Darn snow-back prize stealers! What about the deer over population we have here in Ohio? How long until the fur-backs are stealing our jobs, too?
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:48amLooks like OBummers ears on this statue
Sailor
Report Post »BloodSweatandTears
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:39pmBecause it is so confusing to our youth, they should cover it in tarps until it is restored.
Report Post »Capitalist Mama
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:48amAnd here, I thought Columbus was a sailor…
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean…..
I have to wonder about the education of the public schools that Columbus, of all people, is vandalized and Che becomes a cultural icon (tee shirts and bags, baby). Really??I mean, c’mon!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:54amOh no…he’s now a monster in textbooks who wiped out many of the Natives with disease. Columbus was looking for India and found America instead…he was doing work for the Queen of Spain? Anyways, why is it that American’s are to blame for this? Next thing you know they’ll want Thanksgiving to no longer be a holiday because of what happened to the Natives here!
Report Post »Mirimichi
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:00pmYeah. Really. Che gets all of the adultation? Again, the party of death likes these types of individuals.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:43pmI always loved how the textbooks say Columbus discovered America. Right there, the textbooks are saying Indians are not people.
How can this be a hate crime against Italians? It’s a hate crime against Columbus. If you wanna hate on that fact that he came here, then hate the country of Spain, they financed him three times.
ILFarmer
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:38pm@noname22:
Report Post »Actually, we should be celebrating Leif Ericson Day instead since he was the first European to land and settle on the North American continent nearly 500 years prior to Columbus.
angrymob
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 4:51pmLooks like what I was taught dates me…
Report Post »DMD
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:47amLets put up a muslim statue instead, so everyone can be happy.
Report Post »vic138
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:02pmThat would definitely be considered a hate crime. In fact, when caught you might get a fatwa (or whatever you call the death threat thing) on your ^ss.
Report Post »paulwbrown
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:04pmGood idea. Let’s take it one step further. A statue of a Muslim stoning to death a homosexual or a female adulterer.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:23pmColumbus was the lead “Spanic” that came over and decimated the native populations Inca, Aztecs, Mayans. Many “Spanics” followed him murdering the natives with disease and guns, then stole their gold and jewels in the name of religion. . As the American Indians ( ,Radical) say , maybe all “Spanics ” should return to their home country’s and return the plunder that they stole from these people.
Sailor
NFYRx
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:56pmAs soon as they put all the heads and hearts back onto and into the human sacrafices they made.
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 1:55pmWhy not…I need the target practice!
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:01pmNote to M31SAILOR: Columbus never touched foot on the continent. What came afterward was the the inevitable clash between a relatively advanced civilization and one that was essentially still in the stone age (not one civilization in the western hemisphere had yet invented the wheel!). While much of it was bararous on the part of the spaniards, Columbus was only responsible for re-discovering a continent that would have been overrun with european fortune hunters sooner or later anyway. He’s just the fall guy for the people (who were not even indigenous to North or South America anyway!) who were run over by history….Sorry, but that’s life!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:09pmHey SAILOR those sweet loveable natives were so busy murdering each other its a suprise anyone wanted to colonize here. There are no native Americans, life is not indigenous to this continent. We all came here from somewhere else. Sorry but it’s true.
Report Post »ILFarmer
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:28pmbetter yet, we can ship one of those countless Sudam statues that were toppled and stand that up. I‘m sure that’ll make more people happy.
*wishes for an effective way to express sarcasm via text without being blatantly obvious*
Report Post »oh wait…. =P
that’ll do.
Flagwaver
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:37pmKate’s right, we’re all African. At least that’s what the mitochondrial DNA tracking project says. Oh, my. That just solved the whole racism thing too…
Come on, people. Can’t we all just get along?
Report Post »*************************
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:56pm“Is Vandalizing Columbus Statue a ‘Hate Crime’?”
There is no such thing as a “hate crime”. It’s just vandalism. You catch the vandals and make them pay for the damage and the clean up. Case closed. WHERE DID AMERICA GO SO EVERY WRONG?! Oh, yeah, 100 years of progressive-communist subversion. Never mind …
“Well, it got so that every piss-ant prairie punk who thought he could shoot a gun would ride into town to try out the Waco Kid. I must have killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille. It got pretty gritty. I started to hear the word ‘draw’ in my sleep.” -town drunk Jim (AKA The Waco Kid), Blazing Saddles
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 4:51pmGuess that those with the biggest gun wins.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 4:59pmMy point was that I keep on hearing from La Raza and other Spanics that we shouid give back California and much of the southwest as it was once part of Spanish Mexico.
Report Post »Sailor
Chet Hempstead
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:59am@ C. Schwehr You are wrong on the facts, sir. Columbus reached the South American coast on his third voyage, and the Central American peninsula on his fourth. He was the first European explorer to reach the American mainland. And he wasn’t just an explorer, he was also a colonial governor who rounded up and enslaved the native population. Some of the vilification that modern historians heap on him is deserved. The excesses of the Spanish conquest of the New World really do start with Columbus.
Report Post »BobtheMoronsp
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:00amYeh. Mohamed with a small naked girl on his lap and holding the blood dripping head of an infidel out for all to see.
Report Post »