Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation began Thursday morning with a protest outside of the Onondaga County Courthouse.

The demonstration took place an hour before the Columbus Monument Corporation started oral arguments to preserve the statue's current location before Onondaga County Supreme Court Judge Gerard Neri.

“We’re basically saying the mayor has already made his decision. He said it repeatedly in public. He’s guaranteed various people. He’s appointed committees to reimagine the monument in Columbus Circle, but it’s got to be without the monument,” said attorney John DeFrancisco.

In May 2021, the corporation filed a petition against Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and the city.

On Thursday, cameras were not permitted in the courtroom, but two attorneys, including DeFrancisco, presented arguments on behalf of the corporation.

Its position is that Walsh acted without Common Council approval, without legal authority and did not involve the corporation in the process.

“I think if the judge read everything and understands everything, we should be in good shape,” DeFrancisco said.

Walsh said the litigation is unfortunate.

“We’ve tried from the beginning to be collaborative and inclusive, and that includes with the Columbus Monument Corporation. It’s because of the Columbus Monument Corporation that we were in court today and that we’re expending resources to defend ourselves. It wasn’t necessary,” said Walsh.

He also said the city is following the legal process for relocating the monument.

“We’re going to defend the city rigorously, and feel very confident in our legal position,” said Walsh.

Neri will have the final say and plans to make a decision in the coming days.