The Friends of Marconi Plaza also filed a lawsuit over the mayor’s renaming of the city’s Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, something the suit alleges discriminated against Italian Americans. Before its removal, the box had been painted in the green, white and red bands of the Italian flag at the request of the city council member who represents the district. In December, the plywood box covering the statue was removed at the order of a state judge who said that if the city disagrees with its “message” officials can add a plaque with their message. A judge, however, reversed the city’s decision, saying it had failed to provide evidence that the statue’s removal was necessary to protect the public. A city arts panel and historical commission both agreed and a plywood box was erected to cover the statue. Kenney called for the Philadelphia statue’s removal, arguing it was a matter of public safety. Around that time, statues of the Italian explorer were removed in nearby Camden, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware, while protesters in Richmond, Virginia, tore down a Columbus statue, set it on fire and threw it into a lake.

In response, supporters of the statue began gathering around it - some carrying guns or baseball bats - and said they intended to protect it from vandals. In May 2020, during protests across the nation in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, some in Philadelphia turned their focus to the Columbus statue, arguing the explorer should not be celebrated.

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