Noting that the history of Christopher Columbus is shrouded in conflicting accounts of his exploration of America and that he has become a symbol for the Italian community, Freeholder Anthony Romano shared his view that the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders will likely seek to keep the statue where it is in Journal Square.

Although located in Jersey City, the statue is on a county road which would give the Freeholders a say in its fate. Accounts of Columbus’ impact on Native Americans vary sharply, often providing contrary evidence whether he exploited them during his four voyages to the Caribbean.