BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Park no longer looks the same. Someone used red and black spray paint to spread the words 'slave', 'rape' and 'genocide' on the statue. Visitors at Columbus Park are shocked by the vandalism.

"It's ignorant people with small minds and they do stupid things. That's my opinion on that. That doesn't make any sense. The statue isn't bothering anybody and it's been there for years," says regular part visitor Richard Anthony.

The statue was commissioned by the Federation of Italian-American Societies of Western New York. They declined to comment about the incident but Niagara District Council Member David Rivera says he wants those responsible for the vandalism held accountable.

"We're going to be looking at, what can we do to find the folks that creating literally thousands and thousands of dollars in damages to other people's property," says Niagara District Council Member David Rivera.

With Columbus Day approaching next month, Rivera says the statue's historical value should still be respected.

"It may mean nothing to certain people but it means history to a lot of other folks," says Rivera.