Christopher Columbus is the progenitor of the genocide perpetrated by Europeans upon Indigenous Americans. Not only was he a slave trader and serial rapist he was also a child sex trafficker, who did everything in his power to attempt to exterminate their race. Unfortunately, despite all of the evidence and common knowledge of Columbus's evil doings, monuments of him inexplicably persist in many American cities. These monuments are openly offensive to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and a constant reminder of the White Supremacy present in all the forms of systemic, structural racism here in America. It is time for this legacy to end. Statues honoring traitors, slave traders and perpetrators of genocide are being removed throughout the country and we will no longer tolerate this statue's continued presence in our neighborhood.

The racial makeup in Trenton NJ is 52.06% Black. Throughout the United States, Black boys tend to be viewed as troublemakers from a very young age. Adults often see Black boys as older and less innocent than their White counterparts (a practice called adultification ), and their play is perceived as more dangerous, violent and not developmentally. We know that not to be true in most cases but we can't ignore the trouble youth. Urban communities such as Trenton New Jersey could benefit with more funding for its youth. Through after school programs, recreational outlets, education and more importantly examples of positive role models.

We are proposing the City of Trenton remove Christopher Columbus’s statue and replace it with a statue of David Dinkins, a Black man from Trenton NJ . Dinkins a graduate of Trenton Central high school in 1945, Dinkins attempted to enlist in the US Marine Corps but was told that the “Negro quota” had already been met. He eventually was drafted and served with the Marines. He went to Howard university studying mathematics . In 1953 Dinkins entered Brooklyn Law School and was introduced to politics. He later served as president of elections for New York City, as city clerk, and as Manhattan borough president before his successful bid for the mayor’s office in 1989. Denkins became the FIRST BLACK MAYOR of a major city 1990-1993. Being the one and only black mayor of New York City as well as being an Trentonian he deserves praise.

Removing Christopher Columbus’s statue and replacing it with a statue of David Dinkins will have a positive impact on our neighborhood. This much needed statue change will create space for black children and families to learn about honorable Blacks, such as Dinkins. We believe that his statue will inspire Black children and bring about positive change in our neighborhood.

We demand the City of Trenton move proactively to dismantle its disgraceful Christopher Columbus monument immediately.