An appellate court decision released Friday afternoon may pave the way for the city of Syracuse to remove or alter the Christopher Columbus monument located for several decades in downtown Syracuse.

The State Supreme Court, Appellate Division reversed an Onondaga County Supreme Court judge's 2022 ruling, according to an order released on Friday afternoon, stating that contrary to a previous conclusion reached by Onondaga County Judge Gerald Neri, there is nothing in the city charter's language that precludes the city from altering or moving the monument. Friday's order also indicates the Columbus Monument Corp. allegedly moved too fast in initially suing the city.

The ruling overturns Neri's 2022 ruling, which stated that removing the monument would violate "the City's duty to protect the Monument," and the city's charter. Neri also said the city must maintain the monument in its present form.

There has been a years-long movement to remove the statue due to Columbus' controversial past with Native Americans.

In October 2020, city Mayor Ben Walsh announced the statue would come down in favor of creating a cultural heritage site where it stood, honoring both Italian Americans and Native Americans. The Columbus Monument Corp. challenged that decision by filing a petition.

In a statement, Mayor Ben Walsh called the appellate ruling a win for the whole community.

"The Appellate Division ruled in favor of the City allowing us to proceed with the established process to create a heritage and education site that celebrates the rich diversity of Syracuse," Walsh said. "I stand committed to working with all parties in creating this public space and preserving history.”

The Columbus Corp. are reviewing the latest court ruling and may respond later today.

0309 by Dennis Yusko on Scribd