A construction crew removed the massive Christopher Columbus statue from its place of honor outside of Columbus, Ohio’s City Hall Wednesday morning, in one of the most dramatic cases yet of a city reshaping how its monuments reflect its sense of history and community identity.

Workers began climbing the more than 20-foot-tall metal statue at daybreak, draping large support bands around Columbus’ waist to lift the statue from its perch on the south plaza of City Hall. In the background, the building’s façade was lit by colors of the rainbow – a display that was recently used to celebrate the LGBTQ community during Pride Week…

“For many people in our community, the statue represents patriarchy, oppression and divisiveness,” Ginther said. “That does not represent our great city, and we will no longer live in the shadow of our ugly past.” said Mayor Ginther.